Picture:Mining Minister, Byron Chan

Source: PNG Today

The system, nicknamed flexi, allows all tenements, including alluvial related tenements, to be shown on the electronic cadastral map and is accessible online.

Mr Chan said once supported by revisions to the Mining Act currently underway, flexi will allow online registration of applications for tenements achieving a world first in this leading edge system.

"Flexi enables anyone to check the availability of an area for exploration, or in the alluvial context, an opportunity to partner for investment from your laptop or ipad."

Flexi also allows searches in MRA library files for geological information, lodge documentation and make electronic payments for fees and rent and to follow the progress of an application through the regulatory administration system.

"Flexi is the future for tenement management," said Mr Chan.

Using data generated by flexi, there are currently 183 alluvial mining leases, either granted, under renewal or new applications. There are 18 mining leases for alluvial purposes and 175 conversion tenements. Therefore alluvial tenements represent around 40% of total tenements in PNG.

A further MRA initiative underway is the development of the MRA five year corporate plan 2015 – 2019, which will be complemented by a PNG mining strategic development plan 2015 - 2030.

Mr Chan said the plans will coordinate with Vision 2050.