The Western Australian Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) is set to launch a new online system for the state’s mine approvals.
The new platform, Resources Online, aims to improve assessment efficiency and customer experience when lodging environment applications, with a goal to make the mine approvals process more streamlined.
It will ultimately replace the current Environmental Assessment and Regulatory System to provide a single user portal.
Taking a phased implementation approach, DEMIRS expects to launch the portal at the end of September with the first release being Program of Works applications.
Following an industry-wide survey, the department established an industry working group to inform the design and processes around the new solution.
Consisting of participants from across the sector, the reference group was used to ensure a variety of requirements and perspectives were addressed.
DEMIRS executive director resource and environmental compliance Tyler Sujdovic said the department has been working closely with stakeholders to ensure the product meets industry needs.
“Our goal was to ensure applications are submitted and assessed as efficiently as possible, so it was essential we worked closely with industry to design Resources Online,” Sujdovic said.
“The feedback we have been receiving from the working group has been encouraging.
“It tells us we are on the right track, and we are looking forward to welcoming the group back to test the system before going live in September.”