WA better protected from mine operators

Close monitoring of Western Australia mine operators means they are now better at meeting environmental and aboriginal heritage conditions, a report has found.

Auditor General Colin Murphy said his follow-up audit on compliance with mining conditions tabled in parliament on Wednesday found significant improvements across agencies in response to the findings in his 2011 report.

Mr Murphy said the introduction of the Mining Rehabilitation Fund meant operators were more closely monitored to check they were meeting environmental and aboriginal heritage conditions.

He said there had also been progress in clarifying responsibilities for monitoring carried out under State Agreements.

But State Agreement mines still remained outside the fund, and while they could opt in, none had done so.