The Western Australian Government will move mining applications and other administrative procedures online – a decision which the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) says ‘is a win for common sense, particularly during COVID-19.’
Chief Executive of the CME, Paul Everingham, said the organisation had approached the Minister for Mines and Petroleum, the Hon. Bill Johnston MLA, and the DMIRS for a new approach once it became evident that lodging physical documents and requiring ‘wet’ signature was no longer feasible.
“CME sought this practical approach from the Government not only for streamlining and efficiency purposes, but also to ensure that necessary industry engagement could continue during COVID-19,” he said.
“The public health response to COVID-19 has included increased work from home and physical distancing requirements, which made preparing, signing and sending documents through the post very difficult and onerous for members.”
“Now that DMIRS is moving to a expand the use of electronic approaches, WA resources companies can now carry out their administrative business with the Department in a safer, more efficient manner, including lodging applications linked to tenement applications and other approvals,” Mr Everingham said.
Minister Johnston commented that the streamlining of these administrative procedures aims to support the industry during this challenging time.
“The mining sector has been co-operative and compliant in response to the measures the Government has put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19,” he said.
“Maintaining a strong resources sector will be critical in ensuring our State and the wider Australian economy are well-positioned to bounce back when the global economy recovers from this pandemic.”
The Minister will continue to speak regularly with CME, the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC), and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) to discuss key priorities and issues.
For more information on the new changes, please visit: https://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/About-Us-Careers/DMIRS-makes-administrative-26978.aspx.