Exploration License

Issuance of Exploration License

Beneficiaries of the Service

Only companies are eligible to apply for the Exploration License, provided that all conditions and requirements are met.

How to Apply for the Service

You can submit a request for an Exploration License by accessing through Taadeen platform, after fulfilling the following conditions:

• The applicant must be a company registered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and its business activity must be related to mining operations.
• The company’s capital must not be less than 100,000 SAR.
• For Category (A) and (B) minerals, the applicant must have technical expertise.
• The applicant must not have had a terminated license within the past three years.
• The applicant must not have any outstanding payments due to the Ministry related to any license, fines, or other dues.

Service Application Procedures

• Complete the application form.
• Provide technical justifications explaining the reason for site selection.
• Submit proof of financial capability.
• Submit the proposed work program.
• Submit proof of technical competence.
• Provide results of previous reconnaissance activities and studies, if available.
• Submit an environmental and social impact management plan.

License Area

• The site area must not exceed 100 square kilometers for minerals of classes (A) and (B).
• The site area must not exceed 5 square kilometers for minerals of class (C).

The duration of the license

Class (A–B): 5 years.
Class (C): 1 year.

The fees for issuing an Exploration License 

• The application fee is 5,000 SAR.
• The license issuance fee is 5,000 SAR.

Exploration License Renewal 

How to Apply for the Service

You can submit a request for the renewal of the Exploration License at least 30 days before the license expiration through Taadeen platform, provided that the renewal is limited to minerals of classes (A) and (B).

Service Application Procedures

• Filling out the application form.
• Submitting proof of financial capability.
• Submitting a work plan.
• Providing proof of technical competence.
• Submitting an environmental and social impact management plan.

The duration of the Exploration License renewal 

The Exploration License renewal is for two periods of 5 years each, provided that the total duration of the license does not exceed 15 years.

The renewal fee for the Exploration License 

• The application fee is 5,000 SAR.
• The renewal fee is 5,000 SAR.

Transfer of Exploration License

How to Apply for the Service

You can submit a request for the license transfer through Taadeen platform, after fulfilling the following conditions:

• The transferee must be qualified and meet the license eligibility requirements.
• There must be no outstanding payments owed by the license holder to the Ministry.
• The application must be submitted at least 60 days before the license expiration.

Service Application Procedures

• Fill out the electronic service request form on the Taadeen platform.
• Submit the details of the license to be transferred.
• The transfer fees must be paid by the transferor.
• Fill out the Environmental and Social Impact Form.
• Fill out the Work Plan Form.
• The transfer fees must be paid by the transferee.

License transfer fees

• The application fee is 10,000 SAR.
• The license transfer fee is 10,000 SAR.