eMits improvements increases debt collection efficiencies

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) is responsible under the Financial Management Act 2006 for the recovery of outstanding fees, penalties and rents where a mining tenement has been relinquished after the anniversary date, but a debt remains outstanding.

Acting Executive Director, Resource and Environmental Compliance Division, Karen Caple, said recent enhancements to the department’s electronic Mineral Titles (eMiTs) data base, currently in production, will allow automated printing of rent reminder notices, overdue notices and final rent notices.

“The changes will enable DMIRS to issue notices more efficiently and it is expected that automated notices will be printed and issued from the first quarter of 2019,” Ms Caple said.

“Furthermore, additional eMits enhancements in 2019 will enable these notices to be automatically emailed directly to the title holders’ Designated Tenement Contact, rather than printed and posted, which will save the Western Australian tax payer thousands of dollars.”

DMIRS is encouraging all mining tenement holders to evaluate the ongoing interest in a mining tenement prior to its anniversary date. Debt recovery action will follow if relinquished after the anniversary date.

• In accordance with the provisions of section 114B of the Mining Act 1978 (WA):The expiry, surrender or forfeiture of a mining tenement does not affect the liability of the person who was the holder of the mining tenement immediately before its expiry, surrender or forfeiture —to pay any rent, fee, royalty, penalty, or other money on any other account, payable on or before the date of expiry, surrender or forfeiture under or in relation to the mining tenement; orto comply with any obligation imposed on or before that date under or in relation to the mining tenement; orfor any act done or default made on or before that date under or in relation to the mining tenement.