204Code of practice

### 204 Code of practice > > (1)  The Minister may approve a Code of practice for the practical guidance of persons involved in exploration, mining operations, prospecting or fossicking. > > > (2)  A Code of practice may – > > > > > > (a) consist of any code, standard, rule, specification or provision relating to exploration, mining operations, prospecting or fossicking, prepared or adopted by the Director; and > > > > > > > (b) apply, incorporate or refer to any document formulated or published by any body or authority as in force at the time the Code of practice is approved or as amended, formulated or published. > > > (3)  The Minister may – > > > > > > (a) approve any revision of the whole or part of a Code of practice; or > > > > > > > (b) revoke a Code of practice. > > > (4)  Before approving a Code of practice or the revision of the whole or part of a Code of practice or before revoking a Code of practice, the Minister must – > > > > > > (a) consult with any person or organisation the Minister considers appropriate having regard to the application of the Code of practice; and > > > > > > > (b) by notice published in the *Gazette* and in 3 daily newspapers published and circulating in the State, give 28 days' notice of the intention to approve the Code of practice or the revision or revocation of the Code of practice. > > > (5)  The Minister must give notice in the *Gazette* and in 3 daily newspapers published and circulating in the State of – > > > > > > (a) the approval of a Code of practice; or > > > > > > > (b) the approval of the revision of the whole or part of a Code of practice; or > > > > > > > (c) the revocation of a Code of practice. > > > (6)  A notice under [subsection (5)](#GS204@Gs5@EN) is not a statutory rule within the meaning of the [Rules Publication Act 1953](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1953-050) . > > > (7)  The Minister must make available in the Department for inspection by members of the public without charge during normal office hours a copy of – > > > > > > (a) every approved Code of practice; and > > > > > > > (b) if an approved Code of practice is revised and the revision is approved, the approved Code of practice as so revised; and > > > > > > > (c) if an approved Code of practice applies, incorporates or refers to any other document, that other document. > > > (8)  An approved Code of practice and any approved version of a Code of practice have effect on the day on which notice of the approval is published in the *Gazette*. > > > (9)  An approved Code of practice ceases to have effect on the day on which notice of the revocation is published in the *Gazette*. > > > (10)  A person is not liable to any civil or criminal proceedings only because the person has failed to observe any provision of an approved Code of practice.