RALEIGH, N.C. (WHKY) — Companies seeking mining permits in North Carolina can now submit applications and follow their progress online.

Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson says adding mining applications to the AccessDEQ portal will help businesses move projects forward more quickly while maintaining environmental protections.

Before the change, mining applications were submitted in multiple formats and often relied on paper documents and postal mail.

The online system allows applicants to upload documents, submit payments, receive notifications and monitor the status of an application throughout the review process. Applications are also connected to public records already available online through DEQ.

The department processes approximately 40,000 permit applications every year. As of August 2026, about 54% of those applications can be processed electronically.

Toby Vinson, director of DEQ’s Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources, says the new system will improve efficiency for agency employees and applicants. Vinson says the increased transparency will allow mining companies to see where their applications stand during the review process.

The change is part of DEQ’s Permit Transformation Program, which is moving additional paper-based processes to online and interactive applications.

Mining companies may apply through the AccessDEQ portal on the department’s website.