The Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) has confirmed it will cut its assessment timeframes in half for exploration Programme of Work (PoW) applications from July 1, 2020.
According to WA Mines and Petroleum Minister, Bill Johnston, the new timeframe means DMIRS will reduce its target for PoW applications for exploration activities from 30 to 15 business days.
“The reduction in assessment timeframes for Programme of Work applications is a great example of government, industry and the community working together to unlock Western Australia’s economic potential,” Minister Johnston said.
The McGowan Government is committed to improving efficiency and, where possible, making processes easier for business.
“Cutting the timeframes in half could save more than 39,600 processing days for these applications each year, and allow companies to expect their assessment decision within three weeks instead of six – significantly benefiting the mining sector.
“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.
The DMIRS received 2,646 PoW applications in 2019.