Mining Act 1971

Subject to this section, the Minister or the Director may, in such manner as the Minister or the Director thinks fit, release any prescribed material.

The Minister or the Director must not release prescribed material that relates to a private mine.

Subsection (1) does not authorise the release of any prescribed material if—

the release would be contrary to any other Act or law;

the release would be in breach of an order of a court or tribunal constituted by law; or

the release would involve the disclosure of a trade secret;

the release would be contrary to any requirement or restriction prescribed by the regulations.

The Minister or Director may release any prescribed material under this section—

in such manner as the Minister or Director thinks fit;

subject to such conditions as the Minister or Director thinks fit.

A person who contravenes or fails to comply with a condition under subsection (4)(b) is guilty of an offence. Maximum penalty: $120 000.

Subsections (1),

and

do not—

limit the ability of the Mining Registrar to publish or release, or to allow access to, any instrument, document or other item or material registered on the mining register; or

limit the operation of any other section that provides for publication or release of any instrument, document or other item of material.

No action lies against the Minister or the Director in respect of the contents of any prescribed material released under this section (including where the release amounts to the publication of any material).