Our structure
NSW Resources is a group within the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, which supports the productive growth of primary industries, the sustainable management of our natural resources, and the resilience, economic development and wellbeing of our regions.
NSW Resources aims to support and grow safe and sustainable exploration and mining in NSW.
NSW Resources comprises 4 teams:
- Assessments and Systems
- Business Operations and Programs
- Resources Regulator
- Strategy, Performance and Industry Development
Our leadership team
NSW Resources is led by Deputy Secretary Georgina Beattie and supported by an experienced leadership team:
- Executive Director Assessments and Systems Jamie Tripodi
- Executive Director Business Operations and Programs Marwan El-Chamy
- Executive Director Resources Regulator Peter Day
- Executive Director Strategy, Performance and Industry Development Tony Linnane
Further information on our structure can be found in our organisation chart (PDF, 34.93 KB).
Resources Regulator
The Resources Regulator (the Regulator) is a group within NSW Resources and was established on 1 July 2016 to regulate the state’s work health and safety at mines and petroleum sites and compliance and enforcement activities under the Mining Act 1992.
The Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is the ‘regulator’ (known as the NSW Resources Regulator) under the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013. Powers and functions of the regulator under this Act are delegated to officers in the Resources Regulator. The Minister for Natural Resources and the Secretary of DPIRD have decision-making functions under the Mining Act 1992 and these can be delegated to officers in NSW Resources (including the NSW Resources Regulator).
The Regulator specialises in regulating high risk open-cut and underground mines, petroleum sites, quarries and extractive operations, tourist mines, opal and other small-scale mines and mining exploration activities.
Our organisation chart (PDF, 65.65 KB) shows how the Resources Regulator is structured.
What we do
Our role includes:
- receiving and considering complaints, alleged breaches of the Mining Act and safety incident notifications
- providing information and guidance about safety and other regulatory obligations to protect and support industry, workers, the community and the state
- conducting probity and compliance checks on applicants for grant/renewal/transfer title applications
- conducting inspections and investigations
- assessing licensing, registration applications and grants applications for occupational licences (practising certificates and certificates of competence)
- regulating exploration activities including issuing activity approvals and ensuring compliance with title conditions and codes of practice
- taking enforcement action such as issuing prohibition and other statutory notices and taking prosecution action
- providing advice to the appropriate development consent authority regarding the appropriateness of rehabilitation strategies included in development applications, including advice on conditioning
- supporting and administering the NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council and NSW Mining and Petroleum Competence Board, and
- administering the mine and petroleum site safety fund (mine safety levy).
Our direction and priority areas are outlined in the Resources Regulator Strategic Plan 2021 - 2024 (PDF, 1.8 MB).
Legislation administered
The Resources Regulator within the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development exercises a range of functions including:
- the right to operate under the Mining Act 1992 and the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991[1] and associated Regulations
- work health and safety obligations contained in the following Acts (and associated Regulations):
- Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011
- Mining Act 1992
- Explosives Act 2003
- Protection from Harmful Radiation Act 1990
Refer to the All legislation for NSW mining workplaces page for further information.
The Minister for Natural Resources and the Secretary of the department have decision-making functions under the Mining Act 1992 and these can be delegated to officers in NSW Resources, including the Regulator.
[1] The EPA is the lead regulator for all onshore petroleum exploration and production activities and is responsible for all compliance and enforcement activities under the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991, with the exception of work health and safety.
Offices
| Office | Address | Postal address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maitland | 516 High Street, Maitland NSW 2320 | PO Box 344, Hunter Region Mail Centre NSW 2310 | 02 4931 6666 |
| Armidale | 122 - 132 Mossman Street, Armidale NSW 2350 | PO Box 1138, Armidale NSW 2350 | |
| Broken Hill | Level 2, 32 Sulphide Street, Broken Hill NSW 2880 | ||
| Dubbo | 34 Hampden Street, Dubbo NSW 2830 | ||
| Lightning Ridge | 41 Opal Street, Lightning Ridge NSW 2834 | PO Box 314 Lightning Ridge NSW 2834 | 02 6820 5200 |
| Lithgow | Suite 1, Level 1, 184 Mort Street, Lithgow NSW 2790 | ||
| Orange | 105 Prince Street, Orange NSW 2800 | Locked Bag 21, Orange NSW 2800 | 02 6391 3100 |
| Wollongong | Level 3, Block F, 84 Crown Street, Wollongong NSW 2500 | PO Box 674 Wollongong NSW 2520 |