Bahamas - Apply for a Prospecting and Mining Permit

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Procedure

Apply In-Person:

1. To apply for a Prospecting and Mining license in the Bahamas, the applicant will have to contact the Mines and Minerals department office Link
2. Make sure that you have all the documents that are listed under the “Required Documents” section of this page.
3. Fill the application form provided at the Mines and Minerals department office.
4. Or download and fill in the relevant forms from the following links:
   • Application for a mining permit (Form 3) Link Please scroll down to pg:28.
   • Application for a prospecting licence (Form 6) Link Please scroll down to pg:32.
5. Submit the filled application form with necessary attachments to the Mines and Minerals department office.
6. Pay the prescribe fee.
7. Upon completion of above steps the applicant will be able to collect the required license after within the stipulated time.

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Required Documents

Application Forms:

• Application for a mining permit (Form 3) Link Please scroll down to pg:28.
• Application for a prospecting licence (Form 6) Link Please scroll down to pg:32.

Supporting Documents for Mining Permit:

• A proposal for a small-scale mining work plan;
• Proof of technical competence for conducting small-scale mining;
• Proof of financial capability to undertake the small-scale mining activities;
• An environmental impact assessment refer to in section 40 of the act;
• An environmental management plan referred to in section 40 of the act; and
• Other supporting documentation as the minister may require.

Supporting Documents for Prospecting License:

• A plan showing the land, area or offshore area to which the application relates;
• An indication of the mineral or minerals for which the prospecting licence is required;
• The period for which the prospecting licence is required;
• A program of prospecting operations including the estimated annual expenditure for each phase of the prospecting operations;
• Documentary proof of the applicant's technical ability to conduct the proposed prospecting operations; and to mitigate, manage and rehabilitate relevant environmental impacts;
• Documentary proof of the applicant's financial ability to carry out the prospecting operations;
• A proposal for the use of local expertise, contractors and consultants in the proposed prospecting operations;
• A list of existing mineral rights and or permits, as the case may be, held by the applicant, indicating the location within the Bahamas;
• An environmental impact assessment ;
• An environmental management plan ;
• Copy or copies of the title deed or deeds, where applicable, in respect of the land to which the application relates;
• If the operations will entail dredging, the types of machines or equipment intended to be used in the dredging operations; and any other specific or additional information, data or documentation which the minister may request.

Office Locations & Contacts

Lands and Surveys Department of the Bahamas
P. O. Box N 592
Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
Phone:(242) - 502-1200
322-2329
Fax: (242) - 322-5830
Contact Link

Eligibility

According to Bahamas mining regulations:

• A mining permit shall not be granted to a person unless that person:
  • Is a citizen of The Bahamas, and
  • Has attained the age of eighteen years.
• An application for a mining permit under section 10 of the Act shall only be made for small-scale mining of deposits of mineral substances utilising non-mechanised operations.

Fees

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Validity

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e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

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Sample Documents

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Processing Time

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Related Videos

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Instructions

The holder of a prospecting licence shall:

• Commence prospecting operations within three months of the grant of the prospecting licence or a period specified in the approved programme for prospecting operation;
• Undertake prospecting operations in accordance with the approved programme of prospecting operations;
• Ensure that the amount of work and expenditure specified in the approved programme of prospecting operations is actually expended in the course of undertaking prospecting operations within the deadlines stipulated;
• Without any unreasonable delay, notify the minister of the discovery of any mineral deposit of potential commercial value including mineral deposits for which the holder of the licence was not authorised to prospect;
• Comply with the conditions of the licence or any existing and applicable minerals agreement, and any directions issued by the minister or an authorized officer
• Submit to the minister geological and financial reports and such other information relating to prospecting operations at such other intervals as may be determined by the minister; and carry out prospecting activities in accordance with the international best practice standards and guidelines as may be prescribed.

The holder of a mining permit shall:

• Conduct small scale mining operations in compliance with a plan approved by the Minister;
• Demarcate and keep demarcated the mining area in the prescribed manner;
• Take all measures necessary to protect and restore the environment within the mining area;
• Comply with any prescribed record keeping obligations;
• Stack or dump any minerals or building materials or waste products in the manner provided for in the relevant laws or regulations;
• Not use such equipment as may be determined by the Director; and pay royalties, fees, taxes and charges.

Required Information

• Applicant's identity and contact information
• Full name
• Physical Address
• Phone number
• E-mail address
• Mineral or minerals in respect of which the licence is sought
• Duration of licence applied for
• Mandatory attachments

Need for the Document

The holder of a mining permit shall enjoy the exclusive rights to carry out small scale mining operations in the area specified in the permit and may-

• Enter the area specified in the permit and take all reasonable measures to carry out the approved small scale mining operations;
• Erect on the area buildings and equipment necessary to carry out the small scale mining operations; and
• Use or dispose of any minerals recovered.

The holder of a prospecting license has the exclusive right within the prospecting area to:

• Demarcate the areas that fall within the licence area;
• Enter the area of land specified in the licence and take all reasonable measures on or under the surface of the land to carry out prospecting operations;
• Erect equipment, plant and buildings necessary to carry out the prospecting operations.

Information which might help

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Other uses of the Document/Certificate

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External Links

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