Your ref MWM – 00083 - 2021

Our ref A19214723 WS0012/2021

Enquiries Lorraine Field 6251 2302

Mr Phone Kyaw

Chief Executive Officer

Mining Watch Myanmar Inc.

Email: [email protected]

Enter Locality State Postcode

Dear Mr Kyaw

MINING WATCH MYANMAR INC – SEEKING WORK EXPERIENCE

Thank you for your correspondence of 4 March 2021 to the Hon Bill Johnston MLA, seeking work experience opportunities in for geologists, geo-tech engineers, surveyors and mining engineers from Myanmar.

As the Western Australian Government is still in the process of confirming a new Cabinet after the recent State Election, Minister Johnston asked me to reply directly to you, in my capacity as the Deputy Director General Safety Regulation at the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.

I am advised that on 8 July 2020 you wrote to Minister Johnston; the Hon AM MLA, Minister for Asian Engagement; and the Hon MLA, Deputy Premier of Western Australia, seeking assistance in relation to training miners and directors of the Myanmar government about mining safety, occupational safety and health and environmental management.

Minister Johnston replied to this request on 26 August 2020, advising of the sanctions imposed by the Australian Government including “restrictions on the provision of certain services”, and recommending that you contact the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), through the Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Embassy of Myanmar), both based in Canberra.

I note that in your 4 March 2021 correspondence, you propose a work experience arrangement for professionals who will then work as volunteers at Mining Watch Myanmar Inc., to address mining industry issues in Myanmar.

However, as the sanctions imposed by the Australian Government in relation to Myanmar are still in place, including “restrictions on the provision of certain services”, Western Australian Government agencies cannot enter into direct arrangements with Myanmar. Any requests for programs between Myanmar and Western Australia must be made to DFAT through the Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

Further information about the sanctions is available on the DFAT website through the following link:

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https://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/security/sanctions/sanctions- regimes/Pages/myanmar-sanctions-regime

In addition, current COVID-19 border measures restrict arrivals to Australia from overseas. Only people in an exempt category or who have been granted an individual exemption to the current travel restrictions can enter Australia from a foreign country. Further information about Australian travel restrictions and exemptions can be accessed on the Department of Home Affairs website, through the following link:

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions

I appreciate you providing me with the opportunity to provide advice in relation to your request and trust that this information is helpful.

Yours sincerely

Lorraine Field A/DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL

19 March 2021

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