Documents to be presented before any transaction can be completed with the GGMC
Learn more
15 Aug, 24

Application for Mining License

Roger

Overview

This license permits mining activities on 500–12,800 acres of land. An application is first reviewed before going through a vetting procedure once it is presented with its work program, budget, financial and technical skills, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) environmental permit. After that, the application is sent to the Minister and the Board for approval before being published. Following these procedures, the necessary rental and bond payments must be made. Only then can the licence be signed and officially issued, allowing the holder to start approved mining operations.

Requirements

The holder of a prospecting licence may, within the period of one year specified in section 40(2) of The Mining Act 1989, or within such further period as may be allowed by the Commission under the proviso thereto, apply for the grant of a mining licence in respect of any discovery parcel or parcels which, following appraisal, can be shown to contain any mineral to which the licence relates. Any person, notwithstanding that they do not hold a prospecting licence in respect of any parcel or parcels, may also apply for a mining licence once the Commission is satisfied, based on data supplied by that person or otherwise, that a mineral is located therein.

An application under subsection (1) or (2) of The Mining Act 1989 shall be made to the Commission and must be accompanied by reports, analyses, and data resulting from investigations and studies carried out under section 42 or otherwise. It must also include detailed proposals for the construction, establishment, and operation of all facilities and services for and incidental to the recovery, processing, storage, and transportation of the mineral from the proposed mining area, along with any other particulars as may be prescribed.

Where an application is duly made under section 43(1) of The Mining Act 1989 by the holder of a prospecting licence, the Commission shall grant the mining licence applied for on such conditions as are necessary to give effect to the application and the requirements of this Act. Where an application is duly made under section 43(2), the Commission may grant the mining licence on such conditions as it determines or refuse to grant it.

An application for a Mining Licence consists of the following elements:

  1. Filling out the prescribed 5E Form (Add link to form: Application for Mining Licence)
  2. Payment of the application fee of US$100 or equivalent in Guyana currency
  3. Feasibility Study and Mine/Operations Plan
  4. Map and coordinate-referenced description of the area of interest
  5. Proof of financial and technical capabilities
  6. Registration or Incorporation documents if the applicant is a company
  7. Individuals to submit valid identification (Identification Card/Passport/New Driver’s Licence), proof of address (Utility bills, etc., obtained within the last 6 months) and TIN Certificate
  8. Environmental Permit from the EPA (must be submitted before issuance of licence)

Procedure 

  1. AO accepts applications and reviews documents received.
  2. AO enters the application into IMAPS and generates an invoice for customer payment at the cashier.
  3. Application documents are registered, scanned and uploaded into IMAPS 
  4. AO forwards the application to the Cartographic Section for verification.
  5. The GIS Officer makes a recommendation for the next action.
  6. Upon return of the application from the Cartographic Section, AO forwards the application to the Mines Division for review through the LAM.
    NB. The Mines Division is responsible for vetting the application to ensure the Mine/Operations Plan and Budget are realistic and achievable, and that requisite financing is available. 
    1. If the requirements are satisfied, the application is returned to the LMD with an approved summary to be tabled to the BOD. This summary includes the recommendation of the Mines Division and must be signed by the Mines Manager and the Commissioner.
    2. If all requirements are not satisfied, the applicant is advised in writing. Such notice is prepared by the AO and must specify the period within same shall be remedied.
  7. Providing condition at 6(a) is met, the application is forwarded to the BOD for approval.
    1. If the BOD approves the application, the designated Clerk prepares ITG for publication.
    2. If the BOD does not approve the application, the applicant is informed of the decision in writing.
  8. In the case of 7(a), ITG is prepared by the designated Clerk and sent for review by the AA/SAA Registry and GIS Officer. ITG is endorsed by the GIS Officer and returned to the Registry Unit. 
  9. AA/SAA Registry forwards ITG to AO CLERICAL for recommendation. 
  10. ITG is sent for publication in the Official Gazette, and a period of 21 days from the date of Publication is given for objections by the general public.
  11. Following a period of no objection, AO prepares an invoice for the rental and environmental bond and the applicant is notified in writing.
  12. Applicant makes payment for the rental and environmental bond.  
  13. Licence is prepared by the AO and reviewed by the Mines Division
  14. The applicant is notified to visit the LMD for the signing of the Licence
  15. LAM does an overall review of the application and the Licence
  16. Licence is  forwarded for the signature of the Chairman, BOD, while the Commissioner signs as the recording Licence
  17. Applicant is advised in writing to uplift the Licence
  18. Applicant uplifts Licence
    NB: A duplicate is kept by the Commission, which the applicant must sign upon receipt of the original.
  19. Records and databases are updated by AO/Designated Cartographic staff to reflect the issuance of ML.