Centre for Mining, Energy and Natural Resources Law

About us

The Centre for Mining, Energy and Natural Resources Law has a successful research record going back to its establishment within the Law School at The University of Western Australia in 1990.

It was initially established in recognition of the importance of both the resources and the commercial sectors to the Western Australia economy. In recent years the focus and emphasis of the Centre broadened to include a wide range of mining, energy and natural resources law matters.

The research areas of the Centre all have practical elements and this engagement enhances the research of the Centre by ensuring it is relevant and current.


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Our aims

We aim to:

  • promote, encourage and publish research in mining, energy and natural resources law, with collaborative projects being undertaken between the Centre and professional and industry groups.
  • provide a forum for collaboration between the Law School, other areas of the University, industry, government and the legal profession to facilitate research, education and the exchange of ideas and the development of legal principle.
  • organise conferences, seminars and workshops in mining, energy and natural resources law directed to the advancement of understanding and the development of the law and policy that informs legal principle.
  • assist the development of postgraduate and undergraduate courses in mining, energy and natural resources law.

Research themes

Our research is directed at areas important to the natural resource industries of Western Australia, especially mining and energy, and including:

  • Alternative energy
  • Aviation law
  • Climate change
  • Corporate governance
  • Energy law
  • Environmental protection
  • Fishery and marine governance
  • Mining law
  • Native title
  • Oil and gas law
  • Water law

Current research projects

We are currently reviewing how sustainability issues are incorporated within Centre research projects and taught in the Law School curriculum; as well as researching opportunities to increase the participation of students in sustainability initiatives.

Industry engagement

Executive education and CPD

Catering for busy professionals, our executive education courses give you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills through intensives taught by experts in a variety of fields.
Energy Agreements: Oil and Gas, Alternative Energy and Sustainability
  • Unit date: 28-30 May 2024
  • Details: This three-day workshop will appeal to lawyers and non-lawyers who would like to develop their understanding of the legal agreements which underpin the commercialisation of energy, including oil and gas and alternative energy. It aims is to explain and review the key provisions of contracts important to the commercial development of oil and gas, wind and solar against the background of a transition to more sustainable energy. The contracts considered include joint venture agreements, electricity and gas sales agreements, transportation and storage agreements and agreements for the development of wind and solar power.
  • Price: $3,300.00 incl. GST and booking fee. We invite registered charities to inquire about the discounted registration rates. Please contact [email protected] for further information. 
  • CPD: For attendance at this short course, practitioners are entitled up to 10 CPD points
  • Further information and registration visit, https://events.humanitix.com/energy-agreements-oil-and-gas-alternative-energy-and-sustainability
Climate Change Law and Emissions Trading
  • Unit date: 17 -19 July 2024 
  • Details:  This course begins with an introduction to the science of climate change and the associated climate justice issues. It will then turn to explore the international legal framework and the domestic legal framework, with a focus on the Commonwealth Safeguard Mechanism, the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting scheme and the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act. The course will also explore the human rights issues and the developing international and domestic litigation landscape. 
  • Price: $3,300.00 incl. GST and booking fee. We invite registered charities to inquire about the discounted registration rates. Please contact [email protected] for further information. 
  • CPD: For attendance at this short course, practitioners are entitled up to 10 CPD points
  • Further information and registration: https://events.humanitix.com/climate-change-law-and-emissions-trading
 
Environmental Protection Law
  • Unit date: 
    • On-line recordings and reading from Monday 29 July 2024
    • Interactive Sessions 27 – 29 August 2024 
  • Details: This short course is for legal practitioners and other professionals interested in the environmental protection regulatory framework in Western Australia, in its national and international contexts.
  • The course will explore six themes:
    • Key definitions, institutions and objectives of Environmental Protection Law;
    • The policy instruments and information tools that underpin environmental protection;
    • Regulatory controls on particular activities causing pollution and environmental harm;
    • Environmental Impact Assessment at the State and Federal level;
    • Criminal liabilities under the WA and Federal legislation; and
    • Civil liabilities under the WA and Federal legislation and at common law.
  • Price: $3,300.00 incl. GST and booking fee. We invite registered charities to inquire about the discounted registration rates. Please contact [email protected] for further information. 
  • CPD: For attendance at this short course, practitioners are entitled up to 10 CPD points
  • Further information and registration: https://events.humanitix.com/environmental-protection-law
 
Construction Law
  • Unit date: 25 – 27 September 2024  
  • Details:  This course covers several important doctrines of contract law and equity, as well as key legislation specific to issues which commonly arise under construction contracts. In an effort to explore all of these areas of the law, we will follow the journey through a hypothetical project for the design and construction of hybrid solar/battery, gas-fired power supply infrastructure for a gold mine in Western Australia, from negotiation of the contract through some of the issues which most often arise, to a consideration of dispute resolution of those issues. 
  • Price: $3,300.00 incl. GST and booking fee. We invite registered charities to inquire about the discounted registration rates. Please contact [email protected] for further information. 
  • CPD: For attendance at this short course, practitioners are entitled up to 10 CPD points. 
  • Further information and registration visit, https://events.humanitix.com/construction-law
 
Mining Law
  • Unit date: 30 October – 1 November 2024  
  • Details:  This workshop will provide an intensive course of study about the legal and policy essentials of mining regulation in Western Australia. It is designed to be a comprehensive review for lawyers, professionals and business people, non-government organisations and government administrators working in or with WA’s Mining Law. The three-day workshop will comprise eight sessions, each morning and afternoon, comprising lectures and tutorial discussions of problems raising the issues of law presented in the lecture. There will also be interactive seminars.
  • Price: $3,300.00 incl. GST and booking fee. We invite registered charities to inquire about the discounted registration rates. Please contact [email protected] for further information. 
  • CPD: For attendance at this short course, practitioners are entitled up to 10 CPD points 
  • Further information and registration: https://events.humanitix.com/mining-law
 

Our staff

PhD opportunities

Academics associated with the Centre are available for supervising topics within environmental law, water law, native title, corporate governance, as well as mining and oil and gas law. Please contact them directly.

News and events

NEWS

Petroleum Resource Management book launch

The Centre for Mining, Energy and Natural Resources Law (CMENRL) launched the Centre’s Co-Director Professor John Chandler’s book, Petroleum Resource Management: How Governments Manage Their Offshore Petroleum Resources on Wednesday 13 March 2019 at the Law School. The book was launched by The Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia, followed by a panel discussion chaired by Professor Richard Bartlett with panel members Professor Erika Techera and Mr Gavin Ryan, General Counsel of PTTEP Australasia. The launch, followed by drinks and conversations in the Law School courtyard, was very well attended and a great success.

Read more

Recent research

In the attached article published in 2020 Professor John Chandler explores options for the reform of Australia's mining and petroleum laws.


Outstanding student papers

This article by JD student Henry Cooney won the AMPLA essay competition in 2020. In this very interesting article he explores the protection of the national interest in petroleum and what kinds of statutory objectives might do that.

Contact us

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Professor John Chandler

(+61 8) 6488 1907

[email protected]
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Associate Professor David Hodgkinson

(+61 8) 6488 3668

[email protected]