The Department of Mines and Petroleum was a department of the Government of Western Australia until it was superseded by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation & Safety on 1 July 2017. The department was formed on 1 January 2009, out of the former Department of Industry & Resources and Department of Consumer & Employment Protection, which were split into three new departments, the Department of Mines & Petroleum, the Department of State Development and the Department of Commerce.
Earlier history
The original Department of Mines was created on 1 January 1894 and ceased in that name on 1 July 1992 when it became the Department of Minerals and Energy. During the 1894 - 1992 era, the department was originally divided into branches: • Registration • Accounts Correspondence • Drafting • Government Geologist (1896 was known as the Geological Survey Branch. Before the change of 1992, the branches had become divisions: • Geological Survey • Mining Engineering • Petroleum (usually known as the Petroleum Operations Division) • Government Chemical Laboratories • Corporate Services • Explosives and Dangerous Goods • Mining Registration • Surveys & Mapping == 2000s ==
2000s
On 1 July 2001 Department of Minerals and Energy and the Department of Resources Development were merged to form the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. Further to a review in 2003 the Department was merged with the Department of Industry and Technology to form the Department of Industry and Resources on 3 February 2003. This department was divided into business groups: • Mineral and Petroleum Resources • Business and Trade Services • Investment Services The Department was changed again on 1 January 2009 and three new departments were formed: • Department of Mines and Petroleum • Department of State Development • Department of Commerce (which included the Science and Innovation functions of the Department of Industry and Resources) ==See also==