putting mineral licenses on the map: bringing government cadastres online
DESCRIPTION
A presentation given by Charles Young, Senior Consultant at Spatial Dimension, on their work bringing the mining cadastres of DRC, Tanzania and Uganda online. Includes an overview of their systems and the thinking into the future related to online portals and online license applications.TRANSCRIPT
In Conversation with Charles Young Bringing Government
Cadastres Online
Spatial Dimension Background
• Founded in 1999 with 4 staff• Currently 50 staff (business analysts, programmers, database
specialists, project managers, etc)• Offices in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Vancouver, Belo Horizonte and
Sydney• Focus on implementing FlexiCadastre (mining cadastre system) for
corporates and governments• Extending FlexiCadastre online services
Strategic Partnerships
FlexiCadastre Corporate Clients
FlexiCadastre Government Clients
FlexiCadastre Footprint Corporate and Government User Base
600+ users in 90+ locations1 million lines of code
> 8 million km2 of land managed
Presentation Framework
• End Game– Improve the quality of licensing data– Improve the general availability of up-to-date licensing data– Increase transparency in the licensing application process– Develop tools for civil society and investors to dynamically access
licensing data online– Develop tools to allow for the application of licenses online
• Online Mining Cadastre Implementation Steps– Mining cadastre systems– Online license mapping portals– Online license application portals
Online Mining Cadastre ImplementationMining Cadastre Systems
Mining Cadastre Systems Evolution Introduction
• Paper Based ‘System’– Only hardcopy records available with no digital data
• GIS Based ‘System’– Includes a mapping application (ArcGIS, MapInfo, etc) with associated
database (MS Access, MS Excel, etc)
• Mining Cadastre System– Integrates the relevant Laws and Regulatory business processes and
forces data integrity
• Online License Mapping Portal– Provides online access to a dynamic license map
• Online License Application Portal– Allows for online transactions i.e. new applications, renewals, transfers, etc
Mining Cadastre SystemsCurrent Situation
Please note that this graph is for illustration purposes only and has no scientific backing
Paper Based ‘System’
GIS Based ‘System’
Mining Cadastre System
Tenement Mapping Portal
Tenement Online Transactions
0
5
10
15
20
25
African Cadastre Systems
Mining Cadastre Systems Data Access Corruption vs. Transparency
Please note that this graph is for illustration purposes only and has no scientific backing
Paper Based ‘System’
GIS Based ‘System’
Mining Cadastre System
Tenement Mapping Portal
Online Tenement Transactions
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Corruption Transparency
Mining Cadastre Systems Paper Based Cadastre ‘System’
Mining Cadastre SystemsGIS Based Cadastre ‘System’
ArcGIS – Only records the spatial information
MS Excel – Only records the tabular information
Mining Cadastre SystemsPaper / GIS System Data Integrity Drawbacks
• Paper and GIS based systems– Not possible to handle large application volumes– Isn't modeled in accordance with the Mining Law and Regulations– Poor license overlap detection (topographic sheets)– Poor restricted area overlap detection – No data auditing– Creation of disparate datasets
• Results in POOR DATA MANAGEMENT• Results in POOR DATA QUALITY
• DOESN’T ALLOW FOR THE PUBLISHING OF ACCURATE DATA ONLINE
Mining Cadastre Systems Cadastre Systems Data Integrity Benefits
• Mining Cadastre Systems– Processes designed in accordance with the Laws and Regulations– Provides tools to accurately capture cadastre data– Validates license overlaps on application– Reduces possible conflicts with licenses and restricted areas– Notifies up and coming renewals and expiries– Ensures full data auditing
• Results in GOOD DATA MANAGEMENT• Results in GOOD DATA QUALITY
• ALLOWS FOR THE PUBLISHING OF ACCURATE DATA ONLINE
Mining Cadastre Systems Implementation - Institutional Setup
Mining Cadastre Systems Implementation - Business Process Modeling
Application for an Exploration license
License documents are: License letter (agreement) Maps and coordinates Work Program Memo to minister
Application rejected
· Shape Validation is always closed successfully.
· Result shape is determined by Validation
Receivability items * Natural person· Full name· Nationality· Place and date of birth· Profession· Place of recidense and
address· The type of mineral and
geographical coordinates
· Any previous right held· Statements: financial,
technical competence and experience
· Work program· Expenditure
Applicant: Submit application
LT = Licensing TeamIT= Inspection Team
Immediately
Spatial validation
Immediately
15 days
Not receivable
7 days
Partial overlap or over max area
Schedule annual report 30 days after expiry
Schedule Expiry 3 years after granting (date of
minister signing)
Complete overlap or max area exceeded
Application not received
Determine area free of overlap and/or adjust size
Immediately
No overlap and not exceeding max area
Immediately
Within 120 days
Application rejected
Public: Objection
Within 30 days
No response or unsatisfactory
Receivability items * Legal person· Full name· Nationality· Legal form· Capital· Address of head office,
name and address of its representative in Ethiopia
· Copies of memorandum and aritcles of association, latest annual report, balance sheet, profits and loss statement and auditors reports for the previous three years and a list of members’ name of the board of directors incl. address and nationality and any other authorised person
· The type of minreal and geographical coordinates
· Any previous right held· Statements: financial,
technical competence and experience
· Work program· Expenditure
Unspecified
HOD: Authorisation
Unspecified
Unspecified
UnspecifiedUnspecified
LT: Notify applicant
Unspecified
Applicant: Pay license fee
Unspecified
Licensee: Collect license
UnspecifiedLicense status: ACTIVE
(schedule on previous action)Schedule granting and close on
date of Minister signs. Set license status to Active
Schedule Land Rates
The Land rates are calculated differently from region to region, functionality has to accommodate several actions in the workflow, only the appropriate action (based on region) must be selected and used for scheduling the land rate.
Application rejectedLicense status:
REJECTED
Maximum size allowed is 2000 km2
if in area Category 1, or 3500 km2 if in area Category 2. Maximum total area allowed for one license holder is 5000 km2 for all resources except construction materials, 20 km2, Gemstones, 200 km2 and Industrial minerals, 500 km2
Annual land rate is 60 Birr per km2 .
These rates may vary from region to
region
Copies of approved application/license to Regional Mines office, MOD, offices of Minister and state minister.
7 copies for signature
License fee is calculated based on 3 items
10 birr per page10 birr certificate fee200 birr per license (20 km2)
LT: Notify applicant and give reasons for rejection
Unspecified
Head of MOD: Sign rejection of application
Unspecified
License status: REJECTED
Lic overlap and max area check
C
License fee: 200 Birr
Print letter of modified area to applicant
Immediately
Receive response from applicant
15 days
No response or negative response
LT: Generate Flexicadastre confirmation letter and notification for national
newspaper, send to applicant via archive
· Confirmation of application letter
Immediately
LT: Register application in Archive
Archive: Send letter of modified area to the
applicant
Immediately
Head of LT: Check receivability
Immediately
LT: Capture application
License status: APPLICATION
15 days
Applicant: Collect notification letter from archive and publish
LT: Register publication date
LT:Evaluate objection
No objection
LT: EvaluationTechnical program
Environmental statement
LT: Print letter to request outstanding information
from applicant (via archive)
Immediately
LT: Scan and upload documents
LT: Prepare license documents
HOD: Send documents to minister/regional bureau
head for signature
Receive copy of signed documents from archive. Prepare license fee paper
and certificate
Minister/Regional Bureau head: Sign and send back
to HOD
Schedule submission of annual (2nd and 3rd) work
program 11 months and 23 month after granting
Unspecified
LT: Capture Work Program commitments
Mining Cadastre Systems Implementation - Historical Data Verification
Mining Cadastre Systems Implementation – Standard Procedures
Mining Cadastre Systems Implementation - Spatial Validation
Mining Cadastre Systems Implementation - Lifetime Obligations
Mining Cadastre Systems Implementation - Renewal Verification
Mining Cadastre Systems Implementation - Integrated GIS Map
Online Mining Cadastre ImplementationLicense Mapping Portal
License Mapping PortalImplementation Effort Split
• Technology (software) – 10% effort • Infrastructure (hardware, bandwidth, etc) – 20% effort• Data (licenses) – 30% effort• Culture (political) – 40% effort
License Mapping PortalTechnical Architecture
• Service– Cloud computing methodology– End users access the online portal through a standard web browser– Allows for the sharing of resources to achieve economies of scale
• Application Framework– Initially developed in Esri Silverlight API but incompatible with Apple’s
mobile operating system (iOS)– Silverlight requires a plug-in download (6 megabytes)– Plan to expand supported target platforms to HTML5 capable devices (iOS
& Android) using the Esri JavaScript API• Mapping Framework
– Esri’s ArcGIS Server • Spatial Database
– Esri’s ArcSDE
License Mapping PortalData Structure
• Layers– Licenses: Hosted in South Africa– Physical map backdrop: Esri online map service– Satellite imagery: Microsoft Bing maps– Geology: Hosted by OneGeology– Project data: Various
• User Experience– Seamless data integration– Integrated datasets presented in one interface
License Mapping Portal Challenges Legal Framework Solution
• The legal framework needs to accommodate online data sharing / online payments / online applications
• Solution – Future World Bank regulatory framework reviews should make provision
for online transactions– The Zambia government is currently updating the legal framework to
incorporate online transactions– Tanzania is also undertaking a legal framework review
License Mapping Portal Challenges ‘Dirty’ Data Solution
• Portal of limited use if the licensing data is of poor quality • Solution
– Implement mining cadastre systems to create the basis for ‘clean’ data – Cadastre implementation includes an initial data verification process– Ensures good data quality on an ongoing basis– Not only spatial inaccuracies but attribute errors i.e. active status but
expired– Tanzania portal used to involve the public in data cleaning verification
License Mapping Portal Challenges Political Buy In Solution
• The most challenging aspect of implementing an online solution• Solution
– Build on the momentum of other cadastre / online implementations– Encourage policy makers, funders, civil society and investors to put
pressure on government– Implement a soft skills approach which includes creating a wave of change
from middle to upper management
Cadastre Head Director of Mines Minister of MinesPermanent Secretary
– Ultimately the key is to build strong relationships with governments. It could take years to push the shift from a culture of protecting license data to a culture of sharing license data.
– The bottom line is there are no shortcuts, it takes time and requires patience
License Mapping Portal Challenges Poor Server Infrastructure Solution
• Developing countries generally have poor infrastructure. The online systems need to guarantee 100% uptime.
• Solution– Host the servers and online system externally– Advantages of hosting externally at a Data Centre
– Dedicated and fast bandwidth guaranteed– Scheduled data backups– System uptime guaranteed– Availability of generators and uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
systems – Provides a reliable remote access connection for support and
maintenance
License Mapping Portal Challenges Funding Solution
• Governments generally don’t have sufficient funds to implement online systems
• Solution– The solution needs to be addressed internally (government) and externally
(donors)– Sell data online i.e. licenses GIS data (government) – Provide a monthly subscription feature service for a fee (government) – Follow the route of PNG by including the provision of online services in the
mining cadastre RfP (donors)– Need to fund online cadastre portals as the ultimate way of increasing
license transparency (donors)
License Mapping Portal Challenges Integrate Extractive Data
• Not only mining data but country wide extractive data showing mining licenses as well as oil and gas blocks. This problem is pronounced in East Africa with the newly discovered oil and gas discoveries.
• Solution– Oil and gas government institutions will require proper cadastre systems to
ensure transparency and good data– Initial ‘integration’ can be a data extract from existing ‘systems’– Tanzania will ‘integrate’ oil and gas licenses in the mining portal (data
export)
License Mapping Portal User Friendly Interface
Google Earth type zooming
Simple identify
Layer control Searching
Contact
License Mapping PortalData Update Date Stamp
License Mapping Portal Integration with Bing Maps
License Mapping Portal
Integration with OneGeology
OneGeology geology data for Kenya
License Mapping Portal
Integration with Militarised Mining Areas
License Mapping Portal
Updating Routines
License Mapping Portal
DRC Usage Statistics
License Mapping PortalFuture Plans – Spatial Features
• XY tool allowing for the capture of coordinates for application prescreening• Overlap detection subsequent to capturing coordinates • E-commerce module allowing for the purchasing / downloading of licenses
data in GIS format• Provision of dynamic feature services• Integration with related data i.e. IPIS Research project in the DRC
License Mapping PortalFuture Plans – Non Spatial Features
• Inclusion of revenue reporting• Include officially publicly available corporate records for download. ‘Much
of the DRC’s most important corporate information is left to rot away, tied up in loose bundles at the Tribunal de Commerce in Kinshasa’.
• Increase transparency by providing company information of directors and shareholders
License Mapping PortalIncluding License Transparency in EITI
• In order to be more effective, the database should have a GIS interface to plot the coordinates of the tenements ……..
• The minimum information to be published for each license should include– Applicant name– Date of application– Coordinates of the license– Type of applied license– Date of granting or refusal– If refused, reasons for refusal– If granted, date of expiration or first renewal deadline
• The above is addressed with online license portals
License Mapping PortalSystem Rollout
License Mapping Portal Cadastre and Portal Application Combination
Desktop LicensePortal Analysis
License Captured on Application
Immediate Text Message Notification
Immediate ApplicationReceipt Letter
Immediate License Portal Update
Online License Portal
License Mapping Portal
Tanzania Portal Demonstration
Facts
Updated daily
More than 60,000 licenses displayed
Inclusion of oil and gas licenses in the future
Used to distribute data as well as allowing for external data verification
Online Mining Cadastre ImplementationOnline License Application Portal
Online Application PortalIntroduction
• Simple to use with a user friendly interface• Different user registration / access configuration• Accommodate all business processes i.e. new applications, renewals,
transfers, extensions, cancelations, suspensions, etc• Ability to locate ‘free’ areas • Ability to upload required documents• Ability to pay required fees• Relevant cadastre system business processes (new applications,
renewals, transfers, extensions, cancelations, suspensions, etc) are triggered on saving the online application
• Cadastre staff are notified of online transaction and process accordingly• User receives email / text message notification
Online Application Portal User Access
Public Portal
• Registered & Authenticated Users– Apply for new licenses– Pay license fees– Manage account details– View own licenses– View available work details– Submit work reports– Submit licenses renewals, transfers, etc– Receive reports
• Anonymous Users– Browse maps– Browse licenses– Register as user
Anonymous Public User
Registered Public Users
Online Application Portal System Login
Online Application Portal User Interface
Online Application Portal License Details
Online Application Portal Payment Process
Online Application Portal License Coordinate Capture
Accommodate regular / irregular shapes as well as grid / non-grid based jurisdictions
Online Application Portal Application Capture Process
Online Prospecting License Application
Cadastre Officer Processes application
Online MiningLicense Renewal
Cadastre Officer Processes renewal
System Triggers FlexiCadastre Workflows
Online Application System
Online Application Portal Poor Infrastructure Solution
• Poor access to the internet and computers in Africa• Solution
– Generally impacts small-scale miners– Zambia will be providing an Application Reception Area at the Cadastre
Office– The Application Reception Area will include computer terminals with
internet access
Online Application Portal Payments Solution
• Very low credit card base in Africa• Solution
– Need to include various online payment options– Credit card payments– Mobile payments– Debit card payments (Africard) – Bank payments (setup a branch at the Cadastre Office)
– Ensure that local banks make use of an online payment gateway
Online Application PortalRollout
Questions
Charles YoungSenior ConsultantSpatial Dimension
Tel: +27 21 531 3132Mobile: +27 83 679 1789Email: [email protected]: www.spatialdimension.com