THE Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) will continue for another five years under the leadership of director general Richard Sellers following his reappointment to the role announced this week.

Effective from 2 June 2014, Mr Sellers’ reappointment was approved by Governor Malcolm McCusker after consultation with the Minister of Mines and Petroleum, Bill Marmion.

Mr Sellers said he was looking forward to what the next five years presented.

“In the last five years, the department has worked hard to implement strict safety measures and structures in the work place environment. While we will continue to maintain this, a main focus of the agency over the next five years will be to better engage ourselves with industry, community and other government agencies. Through this we aim to increase community confidence in the department’s regulatory system or operation practices and projects,” said Richard.

“It will be a rewarding experience to be a part of and I’m certainly looking forward to it.”

Mr Sellers was first appointed to the department in June 2009. Before this he held the role of Executive Director of Minerals and Energy at the Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines in the Northern Territory.

Since appointment, Mr Sellers has made ongoing contribution to the Western Australian public sector, and established DMP as WA’s lead agency in attracting private investment in resources exploration and development.