Permitting Process

Prospecting Licences - General Information

Exploration in Ireland requires a Prospecting Licence (PL) that gives the holder the right to explore for specified minerals over a certain area. A Prospecting Licence typically covers some 35 sq.km. and is normally issued for six years, with the option of renewal if the holder has met the requirements. Some three-quarters of the country is covered by delineated licence areas, the boundaries of which typically follow Ordnance Survey of Ireland townland boundaries [map of licences]

A prospecting licence holder does not have the right to develop or extract any minerals found within a Prospecting Licence Area without being granted a State Mining Licence or State Mining Lease. Only licence holders are considered for Mining Facilities to develop such minerals within the licence area. Where the minerals in question are privately owned, a State Mining Licence is required in order to develop the resource. If the minerals are State owned, a State Mining Lease is necessary.