PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australian government has announced its best-ever quarter for mineral title approvals speeds, with Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion saying that thousands of Western Australian resource companies had benefited from the record approvals process times.

"This is about backing the resources industry, and I congratulate Department of Mines and Petroleum for its commitment to cutting red tape and encouraging exploration," Marmion said.

"Despite variations in the number of applications, there has been a steady increase in processing speeds since 2010, when changes were implemented."

During the December quarter, 91% of mining lease applications were approved within 65 business days, and 92% of mining proposal applications were approved within 30 business days. A further 100% of all petroleum environment plans were approved within 30 calendar days.

"The department has surpassed its target of finalising more than 80% of applications within those timelines. The department is on track to cut time-consuming paperwork to nil by performing all of its operations on line this year," Marmion said.

During 2015, the department received 5 629 mineral title, exploration and mining activity applications, of which 97% were finalised within the 65-day target. A further 2 459 programme of work and mining proposals were also received during the year, of which 95% were finalised within the 30-day target.

The Minister said the red tape reforms saved operators time and money and sped up job creation, while maintaining responsible regulation of the industry.

"The 2015 Eastern Goldfields Gas Pipeline project is a great example of the department's proactive approach. Efficient processing allowed construction to get under way, employ up to 300 workers and reach its destination more than a month ahead of schedule."