The Western Australian Government has been fast-tracking mining exploration approvals to simplify the process and encourage further exploration activities.
Last month, the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) completed 313 ‘Program of Work’ applications, significantly reducing the backlog of pending assessments.
This effort has slashed the average assessment time by more than 50%, cutting it down from 16 business days to just 7.
A Program of Work is a necessary approval before any exploration activities can commence.
Next month, DEMIRS will launch its Resources Online digital platform for submitting mining environmental applications.
This new platform is designed to streamline and simplify the approvals process while enhancing the customer experience, data management, and business intelligence.
Resources Online will also pilot the Eligible Mining Activity (EMA) framework. This program provides an alternative authorisation for certain low-impact exploration activities. It will allow them to proceed without requiring an assessment by an environmental officer.
As part of this pilot, exploration applications that meet the criteria will be fast-tracked through the system.
Additionally, the WA Government is set to open round 30 of the successful Exploration Incentive Scheme’s (EIS) co-funded drilling program.
In the previous round, there was strong interest in battery minerals exploration. It showcased 57% of the 47 successful projects targeting commodities such as rare earth elements, lithium, nickel, and cobalt.
Funding for these projects ranges from $40,000 to $220,000. Since its inception in 2009, the EIS has awarded over $215 million.
“Exploration is essential to the development of future mines in WA, and the Government is committed to making the approvals process as efficient as possible,” said WA Minister for Mines and Petroleum David Michael.
“These milestones highlight our commitment and represent meaningful initiatives that will support explorers and exploration in this state.
“I am particularly proud of the contribution of the Exploration Incentive Scheme’s co-funded drilling program, which has already proven its success in supporting explorers to make several significant mineral discoveries across WA.”