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WA mineral exploration activity on the rise

This week, Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston welcomed a 50 per cent increase in Programme of Work (PoW) applications since the start of the year in Western Australia.

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) receives, on average, 200 applications each month and so far in 2018 it has received an average 300 applications.

In May this year DMIRS received 366 applications, an 80 per cent increase on the average, indicating mineral exploration activity in Western Australia is on the rise.

This increase in PoW applications is putting pressure on the government’s approval processing targets, so there may be a slight delay in processing times.

DMIRS’ target is to process 80 per cent of applications received within 30 business days, and it is currently finalising 83 per cent of applications within the target timeline for the April quarter.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston said, “The Programme of Work figures are very encouraging and represent the buoyant nature of the minerals exploration sector in Western Australia, and the strong economic impact this will have. Plans are in place to address the additional applications and the department will continue to process in order of the date received to ensure applicants are treated fairly. The McGowan Government is a strong supporter of mining and resources exploration, and I’m pleased to see that things continue to improve in the sector.”

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