DMIRS resources tenure executive director Rick Rogerson said the number of fatalities and close calls over the past few years was a dramatic reminder that prospectors needed to take responsibility for their own safety when gold hunting in WA's harsh outback.
The 2019 prospecting season is expected to be busier than ever, with 1480 Miner's Rights handed out since the beginning of the year.
Rogerson said a lot of inexperienced prospectors would be going bush for the first time and exposing themselves to the dangers.
According to the first golden rule, safety should always come first and prospectors must make sure they have enough water, fuel, maps and first aid supplies.
Rogerson said people should also carry personal locator beacons and global positioning system devices, which could be bought from camping stores.
These are made to work in remote areas where there is no telecommunication network.
"GPS and PLBs are crucial to prospector safety as they're affordable, cheaper than a mobile phone and may save your life," Rogerson said.
"While most people carry a mobile phone, it should not be your primary communication safety device while visiting regional and remote areas."
Rogerson said of the nine prospectors reported missing in 2012, only one was carrying a PLB.
The second rule says prospectors should have a Miner's Right permit if they are prospecting on vacant Crown land.
These are available from any Mining Registrar's office, for $25.
When prospecting on an exploration tenement, if they do not have permission from the tenement holder then a 40E permit must be obtained, according to the third rule.
The fourth rule says written permission must always be given by the tenement holder if prospecting is being done on a mining lease, a prospecting licence and an exploration licence if there is no 40E permit.
Rule number five says all legal requirements have to be complied with when prospecting on a pastoral lease, which includes getting permission to access certain areas.
According to rule six, respect must be shown when on Crown land. This includes respecting pastoral and grazing activities, parks and forests, mining activities and Aboriginal people.
Rule seven instructs prospectors to fill any holes they dig and repair ground they disturb.
Rogerson said prospecting was a popular and adventurous activity done in regional and remote areas that could be brutal environments for first-timers and inexperienced prospectors.
"Trying to find missing prospectors is not only stressful for the family and friends of those lost, but also stretches precious police and emergency resources," he said.
Rogerson said searches for missing prospectors lasted on average 11.3 hours but many could drag on for days, with aircraft searches costing up to $5000 per hour.
