BC Mineral Titles Online (MTO)
The 2005 implementation of the Mineral Titles Online (MTO) system laid the foundation for significant growth in mineral exploration in British Columbia. Through MTO, the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources (EMPR) witnessed the acquisition of over 1 million hectares in the first week and 5 million hectares in the first year. To date, tenure holdings in British Columbia have surged from 4.5 million hectares annually to over 12 million hectares.
Using a secure login, up-to-date electronic base and orthophoto maps, email notifications, and instant electronic payments, the mineral exploration industry, authorized agents, and staff from private mining companies can acquire mining rights by selecting a claim on the electronic grid map instead of staking a claim on the ground. Establishing secure titles on accurate electronic base maps integrated with other online resources has streamlined the entire claim acquisition process, reduced conflicts, and supported shared land use.
Powered by Pacific GeoTech Systems’ truePERMIT™ framework software, MTO was developed and implemented using ArcIMS, ArcSDE, ArcGIS, XML, Java, Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE), Apache Ant, Log4J, Oracle, Apache Struts Framework Model-View-Controller-2 (MVC2), design patterns, and the government’s MIRA Java Payment and Internet Mapping Framework (IMF). The entire MTO system is Web based, accessible through a standard Web browser, and provides robust, secure, and powerful geospatial capabilities along with comprehensive online help.
The return on investment was achieved in approximately two weeks, and the government has increased its ability to administer and monitor activities, staying current with the 400% increase in activity. Mineral exploration in British Columbia soared from $39 million in 2002 to $315 million in 2006..
MTO is a complete permit system that enables web-based workflows to support the selection, submission, review and administration of electronic documents, plans and permits throughout the approval process.
MTO has been awarded the gold medal under the “Innovative E-Government in the Provinces” banner at the 2005 GTEC Award in Ottawa. Additionally, in 2005, MTO received the ESRI Canada Award of Excellence, and the Public Sector Transformation Information Technology Award for Excellence in Innovative Collaboration at REBOOT. In 2006, Mineral Titles Branch and the MTO system won the BC Premier’s Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public Service Programs.
In summary, the successful implementation of the Mineral Titles Online (MTO) system in British Columbia marked a transformative phase in mineral exploration. This innovative approach not only streamlined workflows but also propelled the industry’s growth, contributing significantly to the province’s economy. MTO’s recognition through prestigious awards underscores its effectiveness and the government’s commitment to fostering innovation.
We are proud to have played a significant role in this process through our extensive domain expertise and use of the latest technologies with the truePERMIT™ platform. As we move forward, MTO serves as a testament to the power of technological advancements in resource management, setting a precedent for sustainable, efficient, and transparent governance in the natural resource sector.
