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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| OM4/19 | Flintridge Resources Ltd | 08/05/2019 | 07/05/2025 |
| DG3/19 | Dalradian Gold Ltd | 08/05/2019 | 07/05/2025 |
| DG4/19 | Dalradian Gold Ltd | 08/05/2019 | 07/05/2025 |
| C1/19 | Conroy Gold (Armagh) Limited | 08/05/2019 | 07/05/2025 |
| C3/19 | Conroy Gold (Armagh) Limited | 08/05/2019 | 07/05/2025 |
| KDR1/19 | Karelian Diamond Resources Plc | 08/05/2019 | 07/05/2025 |
| 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 |
Mineral Prospecting Applications
- Mineral Prospecting Licence Application - CA3/25
- Mineral Prospecting Licence Application - CA1/25
- Mineral Prospecting Licence Application - DGA4/25
- Mineral Prospecting Licence Application - DGA3/25
- Mineral Prospecting Licence Application - KDRA4/25
- Mineral Prospecting Licence Application - KDRA1/25
- Mineral Prospecting Licence Application - OMA4/25
These digital data can be viewed online at OpenData NI website:
Mineral Prospecting Applications - Dataset - Open Data NI
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 |