Annual Report 2016-17

For government, it means ensuring that workers and the community are safe, and that environmental, cultural and community values are well protected.

Case Study – Approval timelines on track for applications

Approval timelines on track for applications graph

A total of 7584 mining and petroleum exploration applications were received in 2016-17 compared with 6720 in 2015-16.

There was a surge in exploration applications submitted to DMP during 2016-17 reflecting increased interest in gold exploration in the State.

There was a 30 per cent increase in the number of Programme of Work (PoW) applications during 2016-17 with 2232 received compared to 1732 in 2015-16.

The number of PoW applications increased in the second half of the financial year:

  • September 2016 Quarter – 502
  • December 2016 Quarter – 421
  • March 2017 Quarter – 640
  • June 2017 Quarter – 669

Ninety seven per cent of the 2232 PoW applications were finalised within thirty business days.

PoW applications must be approved prior to any ground disturbing activities with mechanised equipment being undertaken.

The department’s performance objective is to finalise more than 80 per cent of all applications within target timelines. Target  timelines vary according to the type of application. For more details visit www.dmp.wa.gov.au/Investors/Approvals

Section highlights

DMP has made significant technological progress that allows stakeholders to transact digitally with 22,000 registered customers and 92 per cent of the annual volume of business now being conducted online.