The Queensland Government has opened the door even wider for mining companies in the state, with more cuts to red tape for investors.

The Government has complied with mining companies’ complaints of onerous approvals processes. New mining projects will still have to comply with the Environmental Impact Statement process, but its stipulations have been slashed from 100 pages of requirements to just 25.

Queensland’s new approach is set to greatly ramp up resources investment in already one of the country’s most mining-friendly states.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney says: “This is a great outcome for Queensland which considers itself a resources leader... the reforms will also deliver better outcomes for resource communities... that means more jobs for Queenslanders.”

Input into the process came from groups such as the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), Association of Mining Exploration Companies (AMEC), Local Government Association of Queensland and mayors of resource communities.