Prospectors urged to carry locator beacons

The annual Seven Golden Rules for Prospecting campaign has been launched by Mines and Petroleum Minister Sean L’Estrange, among other things urging prospectors to carry personal locator beacons when in remote areas.

The Department of Mines and Petroleum issued more than 17,000 Miner’s Rights prospecting permits in WA in the past five years and Mr L’Estrange said there had been tragic outcomes when people had become lost.

“PLBs are the best way of avoiding what can be a tragic outcome of getting lost in the Goldfields and the outback. If you're not carrying a beacon, you're not taking enough responsibility for your life,” he said.

Deputy Premier and Police Minister Liza Harvey said of the land searches conducted in WA in 2015, six were for missing prospectors.

She said the land searches included four in the Goldfields-Esperance District and two in the Mid West-Gascoyne District, adding personal safety was so important because the WA outback could be a harsh environment.

The rules include obtaining the right permits, putting safety first, complying with legal requirements, showing respect on crown land and repairing ground disturbances.

To get the Prospecting in WA document, visit www.dmp.wa.gov.au/prospectingwa.