How a Mineral Prospecting Licence application is assessed

A Mineral Prospecting Licence (MPL) granted under The Mineral Development Act (NI) 1969 (the Act) is required for any exploration for base minerals in Northern Ireland. The Act vested ownership of base minerals in their natural state (excluding precious metals gold and silver which are vested in the Crown) in the Ministry of Commerce (a predecessor to the Department for the Economy and gave the department the power to grant licences for exploration.