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  • Minerals and Petroleum

    Responsibilities include: prospecting/development licensing; exploration leases; monitoring abandoned mines; engagement with local councils on Local Development Plans; geoscience information and services through Geological Survey NI.

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    Geological Survey of Northern Ireland Tellus Project

    Details of the Tellus project including geochemistry and geophysics survey and data licensing details.

    • Introduction to the Tellus Project
    • Tellus project findings and legacy
    • Data licensing

    Minerals and Petroleum legislation, policy and statutory rules

    Minerals and petroleum prospecting in Northern Ireland is permitted in accordance with specific legislation, policies and statutory rules

    • Specification for research into the economic, societal and environmental impacts of onshore petroleum exploration and production in Northern Ireland

    Minerals and Petroleum reports and statements

    Annual reports and statements regarding minerals and petroleum licensing and activity and quarry returns.

    • Economic Impact of Geosciences Report 2018
    • Minerals statements

    Minerals and Petroleum licensing for exploration and extraction

    Details on how to apply for licenses to explore for and extract minerals or petroleum.

    • Minerals licensing
    • Petroleum licensing
    • Mineral Prospecting Licence Applications MPLA1/19 (Licence DG1/22) and MPLA2/19 (Licence DG2/22)

    Local Development Plans - input on minerals

    DfE Minerals and Petroleum Branch and the Geological Survey for Northern Ireland are actively engaging with Councils with a view to informing their Local Development Plans in relation to mineral development and the management of abandoned mines hazards.

    Related to Minerals and Petroleum

    Most recent publications

    • 2025 Mineral Licence consultation responses

      Published 8 May 2025
    • Consultation Summary Report for Mineral Prospecting Licence Applications - May 2025

      Published 8 May 2025
    See all publications in this topic

    Most recent consultations

    • Mineral Prospecting Licence Application - KDRA1/25

      Published 13 January 2025 Consultation closed
    • Mineral Prospecting Licence Application - DGA4/25

      Published 13 January 2025 Consultation closed
    See all consultations in this topic

    Most recent news items

    • Murphy to ban onshore oil and gas exploration

      Published 5 December 2024
    • GSNI Director honoured by Royal Irish Academy

      Published 22 May 2020
    See all news in this topic

    Access to information

    How to request information from the Department for the Economy including Freedom of Information (FOI) and the use of our Publication Scheme.

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