Nova Scotia has created a new online portal it says would eventually allow mining companies to apply for and track their permit applications online.
Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton said the move will simplify the permitting process and give industry better access to important information about their projects.
“This portal is just one of the series of initiatives that demonstrates that Nova Scotia is open for business, committed to responsible resource development and ready to compete in the global market,” he told reporters Tuesday.
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The first phase of the project will allow firms to check the status of their applications for licences and permits.
“This is just the beginning. Future phases will expand to offer full online permitting and payment services,” Rushton said.
An official with the Department of Natural Resources said it has spent $60,000 on this initial phase, and the next phase was expected to cost less than $200,000. Janie Zinck, the executive director for geosciences and mines for the department, said that for the third and final phase, “the budget has not been defined at this point.”
A spokesperson with the Department of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions said in an email the contract was awarded to the firm Digital Six. Jodi Sibley said Digital Six was the successful proponent through the province’s “FlexTrack” procurement process, which involves a pre-existing roster of vendors for work costing up to $1 million.
The province says it anticipates the portal will eventually become a “one-stop shop” for mining companies, allowing them to monitor their projects’ permits, renew licenses and pay online in one place.
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