PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa mines and mineral development department will begin receiving online applications for the grant of mine and mineral licences today (Wednesday).

In a statement issued here, the department said investors could apply for reconnaissance, exploration and prospecting licences until further orders through the department`s website.

It added that the applicants would deposit the fixed fee in its bank account through a treasury challan.

The department asked applicants to hand over three copies of all relevant documents along with security and application fee challans to its investment facilitation desk within 15 working days of the filing of the application.

Meanwhile, mineral development minister Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli visited the IFD at the Directorate General of Mines and Minerals in the provincial capital and asked the relevant ofhcials to offer cooperation and support to investors in all licensing procedures through one-window operation.

She said the initiative of online application filing was launched on the people`s demand and that it would stay put ensuring transparency of the department`s activities.

The minister said the use of the province`s rich natural resources for the people`s welfare was the main objective of the initiative.

`We are striving to benefit more and more from our natural resources and thus, making our province economically strong,` she said.

The minister asked the people to directly contact her office over complaints about the department for swift action.