In order to obtain an exploration permit, or an authorisation for prospecting, the applicant must follow certain procedures. The usual application form, in accordance with Article 16 of the Mining Code, requires the following items.

• Justification of technical and financial capabilities, incorporating: — Positions, degrees and professional experiences of the staff members proposed by the applicant or the company in charge of the works.
  — List of exploration works and/or research to which the applicant or the company in charge has taken part during the previous three years.
  — Appropriate bank statements.
  — The past three balance sheets and income statements of the applicant.
  — A copy of his statutes.
  


Note that these professional references and documentation are required to be in French.
• Detailed programme of works, and the appropriate cost for execution.
• Location plan, on a 1/200,000 topographic map, or on a geological map at 1/200,000, with delineation of the proposed area.
• Identity and address of the applicant.
• Capacities of the signee of the application.
• An Establishment Agreement.

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This application, in duplicate, is sent to the Mines Minister by registered letter (or delivered to the Director of Mines with a receipt stamp). The package is then examined by the National Directorate of Geology and Mines (DNGM) with respect to:
Form - The DNGM verifies that the package contains all the items, information and documents that are required in Article 55 of Decree No 99-255/P-RM of September 15, 1999. The DNGM can ask for supplementary information or for modifications, and the applicant has 30 days to respond.
Purpose - The DNGM verifies that the area subject to application is not under any conflicting claim, and verifies that the project is compliant with the Standard Establishment Agreement.
Verification - The Establishment Agreement is submitted to an Inter-ministerial Commission, which verifies its compliance with the Standard Establishment Agreement (as per Decree No 99-256/PM-RM of September 15, 1999). This commission, which is entitled to make modifi cations with respect to the level of investment, is composed of 15 Ministerial Departments that are mainly involved in the implementation of the Establishment Agreement.

The project's Establishment Agreement, if deemed compliant with the Standard Establishment Agreement by the Interministerial Commission, is handed over to the Mines Minister, who will obtain the authorisation from the Council of Ministers, and, once accepted, will sign the document. Within 30 days following the signature of the Establishment Agreement, the State will grant the applicant the permit or prospecting licence, triggering the relevant payments.

(Note: No organisation can simultaneously own three mining rights for exploration and/or prospecting within the same district except following authorisation from the Mines Minister.)

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