His Excellency Tengye Lyonpo launched a web-based Mines Administration System (MAS) on 23rd November 2022. The two phase MAS was developed as a part of ICT initiatives of 12th Five Plan. Phase I of the MAS – Mineral Information and Revenue Modules and Phase II of MAS – Mines Leasing and Compliance Monitoring Modules are developed through the funding support of World Bank and RGOB respectively.
The MAS shall streamline the overall application procedures for mining, transport permit generation, payment of mineral levies and enhance strict compliance monitoring of mines and quarries in the country. MAS shall provide a single window to lodge applications, track the status, and provide status reports to the applicants, and seek sectoral clearances from different stakeholders among others.
With this system in place, that service delivery to the general public and mining entrepreneurs shall be enhanced. The MAS can be accessed from https://dgm.gov.bt/.
His Excellency also launched the “Geosciences and Mining Journal of Bhutan – Series 03”. The journal is an annual series that started from 2020. The articles in the current series are contributed by professionals of the Department of Geology and Mines under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and covers a wide range of topics within the facet of geoscience and mining. The Journal can be accessed for free from the Ministry’s website https://www.moea.gov.bt/?page_id=943 under publication and reports section and from the MAS system under publication section.