New timeframe could save more than 39,660 days application processing days each year.
| Date: | Tuesday, 03 March 2020 |
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The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) will cut its assessment timeframes in half for exploration Programme of Work (PoW) applications from July 1, 2020.
The new timeframe means DMIRS will reduce its target for PoW applications for exploration activities from 30 to 15 business days.
DMIRS Director General David Smith said the new timeframes supported the State Government’s commitment to improve regulatory efficiency through its Diversify WA Economic Development Framework, and supports the Streamline WA initiative.
“DMIRS will continue to work hard to streamline regulation and to make the resources sector more efficient and effective.” he said.
“The Resources and Environmental Compliance Division’s efforts to improve our processes is a credit to everyone involved.”
Over the past few years, DMIRS has made significant business improvements through the development of online spatial application and assessment systems. This delivers tangible results in streamlining the PoW application and assessment process.
Resource explorers and prospectors must lodge a PoW application for DMIRS’ approval before using mechanised equipment for ground disturbance on a mining tenement. This includes drilling, clearing tracks and digging exploratory pits.
DMIRS received 2,636 PoW applications in 2019, up from 1,799 applications in 2016, and these near-record levels underline the ongoing strength of WA’s mining sector.
Mr Smith said the reduction in timelines builds on the department’s strong results from its fourth quarter approvals performance reporting.
“In the 2019 December quarter, 98 per cent of Programme of Work applications were finalised within the target timeline, and we will work hard to ensure these great results continue,” he said.
For more information on the reduced timelines, visit https://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/Environment/Programmes-of-Work-5966.aspx
