Welcome to WAMEX Mineral Exploration Reporting System

About WAMEX

Western Australian Mineral Exploration (WAMEX) is a mineral exploration database storing over 120,000 reports detailing prior exploration in Western Australia. Over 105,000 of these reports and related raw data, such as drilling data, geochemistry results and 3D models, are available for the public to download.

Overview

Western Australian Mineral Exploration (WAMEX) is a mineral exploration database storing over 120,000 reports detailing prior exploration in Western Australia.

An essential role of the Geological Survey of Western Australia is to be custodians of data acquired throughout the history of mineral exploration in Western Australia. Equally as important is providing this data to our customers to kickstart new exploration. Over 105,000 reports and related raw data, such as drilling data, geochemistry results and 3D models, are available for the public to download.

Key Features

  • Free access to over 100,000 mineral exploration reports and supporting raw data

  • Prepare your mineral exploration report online with the aid of a wizard

  • Make application for combined reporting status to streamline the reporting process

  • Obtain complete copies of all open file exploration reports

  • Obtain a copy of the mineral drillholes database

Mineral Exploration Report Lodgement

Reports may be compiled and submitted online using a wizard found in the ONLINE REPORT LODGEMENT tab.

If you already have an ex login, go to “my account”, and add WAMEX online reporting to your list of accessible online systems.

First-time users will be prompted by the system to register.

If the report has been lodged using the online system, then data requested by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) should also be submitted through the same system.

Combined Reporting Applications

Applications to create or amend combined reporting groups can now be submitted by completing an online form and attaching relevant documents using the WAMEX online lodgement portal.

A pdf copy of the application will then be emailed to the applicant for their records.

Data Requests

If a search does not find the mineral exploration reports expected, please submit a request to wamex.datarequest@demirs.wa.gov.au

Current tenement holders or their agents may request reports that are still confidential.

Bulk Download of Mineral Exploration Reports

A copy of all public reports is available on external hard drive from the library at Mineral House in Perth (Tel: +61 8 9222 3165) and the Joe Lord Core Library in Kalgoorlie (Tel:+61 8 9022 0400).

Company Drillhole Database

The Company Mineral Drillhole Database (MDHDB) contains more than 2 million historic drillholes and more than 7 million surface samples from open-file reports.

Under the Mining Act 1978 companies are required to submit annual exploration reports, some of which contain surface samples and drillhole data.

The data stored in the MDHDB are made available when the reports are released to the public, usually after a confidentiality period of five years.

The MDHDB does not provide a comprehensive history of drilling in Western Australia, as reporting requirements varied over time.

The complete MDHDB in SQL16 format is available on request by emailing wamex.enquiries@demirs.wa.gov.au

Sunset Clause Release

Mineral exploration reports held by the department for five years may be released to the public, under Regulation 96(4) of the Mining Act - the ‘Sunset Clause’.

Each year from early March, the proposed list of reports planned for release is published on the department's website. They are also advertised in the Mining Notices of The West Australian and the Kalgoorlie Miner. There is a period of two months during which the current tenement holders can study the list and object in writing to the release of any report.

The current holder of a mining tenement covered by the report, or any subsequent tenement granted in renewal of or substitution for such a mining tenement, has the right to object to the release of the report under Regulation 96(5) of the Mining Act.

All objections must be in writing, include the ‘A’ number (Accession number of report), and specifically detail the page numbers and paragraphs in each report that justify the request for non-release of reports.

The list of reports for release can be found on the DEMIRS website at http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/WAMEX-Minerals-Exploration-1476.aspx#toc_3771

Guidelines For Mineral Exploration Reports For Mining Tenements

The department has prepared guidelines that specify the contents, standards and format required in the preparation and submission of mineral exploration reports in accordance with Section 115A of the Mining Act 1978.

The latest guidelines were gazetted on 12th July 2019 and can be downloaded from http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/Documents/Geological-Survey/GSWA-MineralExplorationTenements_Guideline.pdf