Applications for exploratory licenses not exceeding five thousand hectares shall be submitted to the administration by the interested party, with a 1:25000 scale exploration project map including the name of the plot and the coordinates. The right of priority shall form the basis of applications. In the event of multiple applications for the same location, the projects shall be reviewed and the project owner proposing the fastest with highest investment value shall be preferred.
Administration shall notify General Directorate of Mining Affairs (“MIGEM”) about the information pertaining to the area of the application. In the event that the site applied for in an exploration permit overlaps with any of the previous applications, MIGEM shall mark up the overlapping portions and shall notify the administration that an "exploration license" may be issued for the remainder of site. Administration shall notify MIGEM of any license issuance, with its coordinates for recording purposes. The duration of exploratory licenses is three years. In the event that the operations progress positively and require additional works, a revised project schedule shall be submitted and, if the Specific provincial administration (“Administration”) finds it acceptable, the duration may be extended for another year and a notice of such extension shall be given to MIGEM. The application for extension of the exploratory license shall be submitted to the Administration prior to the expiration of the current exploratory license. During the exploratory license period, production shall only be carried out for testing purposes and on condition that the Administration is informed and that the environment is not to be polluted. The applications for exploration and operations that are in an area which falls within boundaries of multiple cities shall be made to the administration of the largest track of land in that area, and the outcome of the licensing procedures shall be provided to the provincial administrations of the smaller areas.
