Resource World Magazine

NovaROC: Canada's best on-line registry for staking claims MININGWORLD by Denise Mullen-Dalmer Launched in August 2013, Nova Scotia's NovaROC system is the latest project to be successfully completed by Pacific GeoTech Systems Ltd. (PGTS). As in most jurisdictions in Canada, the Nova Scotia landowner owns surface rights while the Crown retains ownership of the subsurface rights. This has created historical friction from claim staking activities which is generally boots-on-the-ground and land activity intensive. The NovaROC system modernizes the Registry of Mineral and Petroleum Titles by providing more timely access to mineral rights information and enables clients to acquire and manage mineral rights over the Internet. It "represents a significant step forward for the Province," said Randy Delorey, Nova Scotia Minister of Environment. According to the Mining Association of Nova Scotia, "the mining and quarrying industry is a key creator of jobs and prosperity for Nova Scotians. It provides thousands of jobs, mostly in rural areas, and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the province's economy each year. Mining is the highest-paying natural resource industry and one of the highest-paying of all industries in the province." With the implementation of NovaROC, Nova Scotia moves from 51st to 14th overall among 93 jurisdictions around the world in terms of the policy and administrative environment that encourages investment (Fraser Institute, Survey of Mining Companies 2011/12). The NovaROC system provides government agencies, prospecting and mining companies, and the public with immediate access to mining land status from anywhere in the world, thus improving communication and reducing conflict. Easily assessable information is a hallmark of improved education and understanding, as well as, transparent decision making. Users can conduct queries and retrieve attribute data on land and download maps of different scales. Industry professionals can acquire information on land available for acquisition or information about current holdings. This promotes economic development by facilitating exploration and development. The NovaROC system has literally transformed important, early-stage exploration and mining projects from bureaucratic to cost effective and efficient, all of which has multiple economic development benefits. It helps the government fulfill its DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014 RW December 2013.indd 51 responsibilities to use provincially owned land for public benefit, protect the asset for future generations, identify and promote new types of economic development, keep jobs in rural communities (since that is where the bulk of the land is located), build and protect local economies, lead the development of green technologies, and emphasize values of good stewardship. Pacific GeoTech Systems is one of Canada's leading e-Business/e-Government solution providers with a proven history of implementing innovative business solutions for complex enterprise web-based land and resource registry and electronic permitting administration systems. Each system enables real-time integrated management of operational, financial, technical and geo-spatial information over the Internet and intranets using advanced web technologies tailored to fit the regulatory, policy and business needs of a jurisdiction. To date PGTS' success includes in-use solution framework in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Manitoba; prototype pilots for Yukon, Saskatchewan, and Peru; and, in-progress systems for Ontario and Nunavut. PGTS is engaged throughout the entire lifecycle of the development of business systems from the project management, business transformation assessment, scope definition and feasibility assessment to user requirements, solution definition, analysis, design, construction and implementation, training and continual support and maintenance. The company received the national GTEC - Gold Award for Government Innovation, the Public Sector Transformation (REBOOT) Innovation award, the BC Premier's Award for Service Excellence, and ESRI Canada's Award of Excellence. n www.resourceworld.com 51 12/11/2013 6:12 PM

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