Re-issuance of Mineral Exploration License

The Re-issuance of Mineral Exploration License is a necessary procedure for organizations and enterprises whose exploration period has expired according to regulations but have not completed the volume of work under the exploration project due to force majeure. Correctly following the re-issuance process ensures that exploration activities continue legally, transparently, and safely.

Conditions for renewing a mineral exploration license.

Based on Point b, Clause 4, Article 44 of the Law on Geology and Minerals 2024 and Clause 2, Article 38 of Decree No. 193/2025/ND-CP, conditions include:

1. Force Majeure: The license is only considered for re-issuance if the exploration period has expired but the work volume is incomplete due to a force majeure event.
2. Remaining Validity: At the time of submission, the license must be valid for at least 45 days.
   • Note: If the validity is less than 45 days, the authority will issue a decision on administrative penalty before considering re-issuance (except for force majeure cases).
3. Fulfillment of Obligations: The organization/individual must prove full performance of obligations (fees, payment for mineral data usage, financial obligations).
   • For Ministry-level licenses, a written confirmation from the Provincial People’s Committee regarding the fulfillment of local obligations is required.

The competent authority is responsible for reissuing mineral exploration licenses.

According to Article 44 of Decree No. 193/2025/ND-CP, the authority follows the principle: “The agency that issued the new license has the authority to re-issue it.”

• Ministry of Agriculture and Environment: Responsible for large-scale projects, strategic minerals, or those originally licensed by the Ministry.
• Provincial-level People’s Committee: Responsible for cases under local management (usually common construction materials or smaller scales).

Application for renewal of mineral exploration license

According to Clause 5, Article 38 of Decree No. 193/2025/ND-CP and Circular No. 37/2025/TT-BNNMT, the dossier includes:

1. Request Form: Request for re-issuance of mineral exploration license (Form No. 03, Appendix I). Must clearly state the reason (lost, torn, damaged) and commitment to honesty.
2. Report: Report on mineral exploration activity results (Form No. 32, Appendix V).
3. Exploration Area Map: Prepared according to Form No. 09, Appendix II.
   • Technical Requirement: Ministry-level dossiers must use the VN-2000 coordinate system, central meridian, 6-degree projection zone. Provincial-level dossiers use the local projection zone.

Procedure for renewing a mineral exploration license.

The procedure follows Article 44 of Decree No. 193/2025/ND-CP:

Step 1: Receipt and Check Within 03 working days of submission, the receiving agency checks the dossier. If valid, a receipt is issued; if invalid, it is returned with a written reason.

Step 2: Appraisal The appraisal takes no more than 30 days.

• The agency consults relevant bodies (10-day response time) and checks coordinates/field status.
• Modification: If the dossier requires correction, the appraisal time is extended by 25 days after receiving the completed dossier.

Step 3: Decision and Result After appraisal, the competent authority issues the decision within 05 working days. The result is notified to the organization/individual within 02 working days.

• Important: If the license expires during the appraisal period, the Client must stop construction and protect assets/minerals until the new license is issued.

>>> See more: Guide to Mineral Rights Transfer

Consulting services for renewing mineral exploration licenses at Long Phan Consulting.

Long Phan Consulting Company provides comprehensive support for the Re-issuance of Mineral Exploration License:

• Consulting: Advising on conditions and procedures.
• Drafting: Preparing necessary documents and guiding dossier preparation.
• Representation: Submitting dossiers and working with the General Department of Geology and Minerals or the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
• Problem Solving: Providing solutions if the license validity is under 45 days to minimize penalties.
• Coordination: Working with the Provincial People’s Committee to obtain confirmation of obligation fulfillment.

>>> See more: Mineral Exploration License: A Guide

Frequently Asked Questions about Renewal of Mineral Exploration Licenses

Below are frequently asked questions regarding the procedure for renewing a mineral exploration license:

Can I apply if the license has less than 45 days of validity left?

Yes. However, the state management agency will first issue a decision on the administrative penalty for late submission. After the penalty is executed, the re-issuance will be considered (unless due to force majeure). (Legal Basis: Point a, Clause 2, Article 38, Decree No. 193/2025/ND-CP).

Can an expired license be re-issued?

Yes. The authority is responsible for considering re-issuance even if the license has expired, provided the dossier meets regulations regarding re-issuance due to loss, damage, etc. (Legal Basis: Clause 6, Article 38, Decree No. 193/2025/ND-CP).

How does modification affect appraisal time?

If the dossier needs modification/supplementation, the remaining appraisal time is extended by 25 days after the agency receives the corrected dossier. (Legal Basis: Point b, Clause 7, Article 44, Decree No. 193/2025/ND-CP).

What is the difference in map requirements?

Ministry-level dossiers use the VN-2000 coordinate system with a central meridian and 6-degree projection. Provincial-level dossiers use the local projection zone. (Legal Basis: Clause 2, Article 4, Circular No. 37/2025/TT-BNNMT).

What must the Exploration Report include?

It must detail the results of exploration activities performed up to the time of the re-issuance request and the plan for subsequent exploration. (Legal Basis: Point b, Clause 5, Article 38, Decree No. 193/2025/ND-CP).

Conclusion

Strict compliance with the Re-issuance of Mineral Exploration License procedure is key to protecting legal rights and avoiding risks. Long Phan Consulting Company is ready to provide specialized legal and technical solutions. Please contact Hotline 1900636389. for immediate advice.