A. Exploration:

Any activity conducted for the purpose of identifying the Mineral composition of land or waters or assessing the feasibility of Mining and Processing Minerals is called exploration. These activities include:

• Aerial, geological, geophysical, geochemical, seismological, and hydro-geological surveys;
• Geological mapping; 
• Soil and rock-chip sampling; 
• Drilling and assaying;
• Trenching and test-pitting;

Exploration License is being granted with respect to Large-scale mining projects.

B. Obtaining a large-scale mining license (Exploration & Exploitation):

• Ministry of Mines and Petroleum announces the tender;
• Mining Technical Committee evaluates bids and makes recommendations; 
• High Economic Council approves the preferred bidder;
• Cabinet approves the preferred bidder;
• Ministry of Mines and Petroleum execute contracts and grant the license;