Geological Survey and Mines Bureau

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Licenses & Procedures

License Information
Under the Mines & Minerals Act No. 33 of 1992, the GSMB issues three types of licenses, i.e., Exploration, Mining, Trading and Transport.  Details of these licenses are as follows:

Exploration licenses (EL)
An Exploration license grants the license-holder the exclusive right to explore for all mineral categories authorized by the license.

Mining Licenses
Artisanal (AML)
Grants the license-holder the exclusive right to mine, process and trade in all minerals specified in the license within an area not exceeding ten hectares or to a depth not exceeding twenty five meters.

Category A - which shall include one or more of the under-mentioned conditions.

  • The depth of bore hole to be less than 1.5 meters;
  • The production volume to be not less than 100 m3 and not more than 600 m3 per month;
  • No machinery to be used.

Category B - which shall include any one or more of the under mentioned conditions.

  • The depth of the borehole to be less than 1.5 meters;
  • Production volume to be not exceeding 100 m3 per month;
  • No machinery to be used.

How to apply for Artisanal Mining License (AML)?   
Required Documents for New AML

  1. Application form
  2. Copy of the Deed
  3. Copy of the Plan (Not compulsory)
  4. If the applicant is not the land owner, an affidavit should provided from the land owner or lease agreement.

Industrial (IML)

Grants exclusive right to explore for,  mine, process and trade in all minerals mined within the area specified in such license.  There are three categories of Industrial Mining Licenses.

Category A -(include one or more of following conditions):

  • Blasting method - multi-borehole using delay elements;
  • The depth of the bore hole - more than 3.0 meters;
  • Production volume - more than 1500 m3 per month;
  • Machinery to be used - track drills, jack hammers, rock breakers, front-end loaders and other machinery.

Category B -(include one or more of the following conditions)

  • The blasting method - single borehole;
  • The depth of boreholes - not less than 1.5 meters and not more than 3.0 meters;
  • The production volume - between 600 m3 and not more than 1500 m3 per month;
  • Only jack hammers to be used.

Category C -(include one or more of the following conditions):

  • Blasting method - single shot-hole;
  • Depth of the bore hole - less than 1.5 m;
  • Production volume - should less than 600 m3 per month;
  • Only jack hammers to be used.

How to apply for a new Industrial Mining License (IML)?
Required Documents

  1. Application form
  2. Copy of the Deed
  3. Copy of the Plan
  4. If the applicant is not land owner, affidavit should provided from the land owner or lease agreement.
  5. Economic Viability Report

Reserved Minerals (RML)
License to explore, for, mine, process and trade in reserved minerals may be granted with the approval of the Minister.     

Trading License (TDL)
A trading license shall grant the non-exclusive right to purchase, store, process, trade in and, with the special authorization of the Director, to export minerals in respect of which the license is issued.

Category A - to trade in minerals for export.      

Category B - to trade in minerals locally     

Category C - to trade in bricks and lime produced manually.

How to apply for a new Trading License?
Required documents

  1. Fully filled application form
  2. Deed and plan of the land where sand will be stocked.
  3. If the applicant is not the land owner, affidavit should be provided from the land owner.
  4. Concerned letters should be provided from mining license’s holders.
  5. Copy of mining license

Transport License
License to transport mineral-bearing substances or minerals shall be issued for such quantity and period and for such minerals as may be specified in such license.  All exploration, mining and trading licenses shall require a transport license to transport mineral-bearing substances or minerals.     

How to apply for a new Transport License?
Required documents

  1. Fully Filled Application Form
  2. TPL Card
  3. A letter from mining license holder giving consent to provide minerals

Export of Minerals
All exploration, mining and trading licensees shall obtain the special authorization of the Director of the GSMB to export minerals in respect of which the license is issued.

 

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