Western Australia’s digital portal to streamline mining approvals will go live within days, Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael confirmed at the Africa Down Under conference on Thursday.

Michael said the Resources Online platform would expand the state’s digital capability for mining and petroleum environmental lodgements, improving efficiency and transparency in the approvals process.

“A regulatory system that is transparent, consistent, and clear has made WA a global mining and energy leader. This helps drive investment for industry to do business and deliver projects with confidence. Knowing what the rules are and where to find them is crucial,” Michael told delegates.

He added that Resources Online would be able to process certain approvals almost instantly, aided by a new eligible mining activity framework for low-impact work. “We like to say, you do a deal with WA, you do a deal for the life of your projects. Right now, we are also improving our processes through programmes like our fast-tracking mining approval strategy. We are just days away from a release of our new digital platform … helping, especially the exploration sector.”

The system, to be administered by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, will replace the Environmental Assessment and Regulatory System with a consolidated portal. Phase 1 will migrate Programmes of Work, with further initiatives planned in 2025.

Michael emphasised that efficiency gains would not come at the expense of oversight. “Reforming our environmental approvals processes to improve efficiency, whilst maintaining rigour, is our ambition and key to remaining a mining destination of choice.”

The portal forms part of the Cook government’s Fast Tracking Mining Approvals programme, designed to shorten approval timeframes for smaller or low-risk projects.

Investment in Western Australia’s resource sector has increased from A$7-billion to A$32-billion. This growth reflects not just demand, but collaborative efforts from government and industry through investment, policy and innovation.

“It is through open discussion with industry that investment continues to flow into Western Australia. As of March this year, A$48-billion of resource projects were committed or under construction – so our future is bright.”

There has been substantial development and change in the Western Australia's resources sector in the past 20 years. In 2005, the state minerals and petroleum sector was valued at A$39.9-billion, compared to more than A$223-billion in 2024 including record gold and iron ore sales, and a record in mining and petroleum sector employment.

The West Australian-Africa partnership continues to grow stronger, with about 70% of Australian led projects in Africa owned by Western Australian based companies – 99 Western Australia companies are currently operating 186 projects across 29 African countries in more than 20 different commodities.

“All this reflects strong partnerships, built on shared resources, shared challenges and shared ambitions for sustainable development and economic diversification,” Michael said.

“Adding to this, is a willingness from all parties concerned to renew the WA Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa – the CMESA MoU.

“We look forward to this happening in the future to revitalise collaboration and capacity building efforts under this important framework.”