Statistics show timely assessments in WA

It has taken an average of 364 days for exploration licences to be granted in Western Australia according to statistics from the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP).

It was recently reported in the media that it was taking more than two-and-a-half years to grant an exploration licence in Australia.

DMP Director General Richard Sellers said statistics from the department’s online systems show that the average timeframe in the nation’s most popular state for exploration was almost exactly a year.

“According to statistics from the department, exploration licences granted over the past 12 months have taken an average of 364 calendar days to process,” Mr Sellers said.

“More than half of Australia’s exploration expenditure is spent in Western Australia. This is why it is critical to have a system that is robust, rigorous and timely.

“It is also critical that there is certainty around the process.”

The average includes assessment by DMP and other processes including native title for land access, and requests for information from proponents.

The department regularly publishes its assessment performance in quarterly performance reports and was recognised by the Australian Government’s Productivity Commission as “leading practice in Australia”.

Mr Sellers said the department was always looking at ways to make further improvements to ensure Western Australia remains a globally recognised destination for investment in the resources industry.

“There are always further improvement that can be made, which is why the department is continuously reviewing its assessment processes to ensure they are clear and consistent,” Mr Sellers said.

“It is this attitude that has seen Western Australia firmly establish itself as the number one Australian state and one of the leading international jurisdictions in recent editions of the Fraser Institute’s Survey of Mining Companies.”

Exploration Licences granted in less than a year in WA.