Minerals licensing
Under the Mineral Development Act (NI) 1969, minerals (other than gold and silver, and a few other minor exceptions) are vested with the Department for the Economy, (DfE). Responsibility for gold and silver rests with the Crown Estate Commissioners, (CEC). Companies wishing to prospect for base metals should apply to the Department for the Economy, (DfE), and those wishing to prospect for gold and silver should apply to the Crown Estate Commissioners, (CEC).
Minerals prospecting licensing documentation and guidance
- How a Mineral Prospecting Licence application is assessed
- Application for a Mineral Prospecting Licence
- Mineral Licences - Guidance for Applicants
- Guidance for Mineral Prospecting Licence Holders
- Mineral Prospecting Licence Map
- Application for a Mining Licence
- Common Exploration Methods
- Mineral Prospecting Licences FAQs
Mineral Prospecting Licences
(dark blue on map) (Licence number indicates year of issue)
These digital maps can be viewed online at OpenData NI website:
| Licence no | Licence Holder | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| DG 1/22 | Dalradian Gold Ltd | 01/02/2022 | 31/01/2028 |
| DG 2/22 | Dalradian Gold Ltd | 01/02/2022 | 31/01/2028 |
| DG 5/22 | Dalradian Gold Ltd | 01/06/2022 | 31/05/2028 |
| DG 6/22 | Dalradian Gold Ltd | 01/06/2022 | 31/05/2028 |
| MCT1/22 | Mount Castle Trust | 01/10/2022 | 30/09/2028 |
| OM1/22 | Flintridge Resources Ltd | 01/10/2022 | 30/09/2028 |
| KDR2/22 | Karelian Diamond Resources Plc | 01/10/2022 | 30/09/2028 |
| KDR3/22 | Karelian Diamond Resources Plc | 01/10/2022 | 30/09/2028 |
Relinquishment of 7 Mineral Prospecting Licences Awarded by the Department for the Economy on 8 May 2025
On 8 May 2025, the Department for the Economy granted the following seven Mineral Prospecting Licences:
- Conroy Gold (Armagh) Limited – C1/25 and C3/25
- Dalradian Gold Limited – DG3/25 and DG4/25
- Flintridge Resources Ltd – OM4/25
- Karelian Diamond Resources PLC – KDR1/25 and KDR/4/25
All seven of the above numbered Mineral Prospecting Licences were subsequently relinquished by the Licensees.
Mineral Prospecting Licence Applications
The Department has received the following seven new applications for Mineral Prospecting Licences.
- 2 applications from Conroy Gold (Armagh) Ltd, to be known as C1/25A and C3/25A
- 2 applications from Dalradian Gold Ltd, to be known as DG3/25A and DG4/25A
- 1 application from Flintridge Resources Ltd, to be known as FR1/25A
- 2 applications from Karelian Diamond Resources Plc, to be known as KDR1/25A and KDR4/25A.
The seven new applications are shown on our Mineral Prospecting Licences Map.
Mining Licences
(inset on map)
These digital maps can be viewed online at OpenData NI website:
| Licence no | Licence Holder | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISME 1,2,4,5,6 | Irish Salt Mining and Exploration Company Ltd | 8/3/21 | 7/3/31 |