Licences and permits
Obtain a mineral exploration permit
Under the 2019 mining code, exploring for minerals requires an exploration permit issued by order of the minister in charge of mines. It is valid for three years, renewable twice, and covers at most 1,500 km² (5,000 km² for diamonds). Only a company incorporated under Gabonese law with the required technical and financial capacity may apply.
- Steps
- 5
- Total indicative delay
- Not published
- Total indicative cost
- Proportional or variable fees
- Last validation
- 21 September 2026
- Version 1
- Responsible institution
- Ministry of Mines and Geological Resources
- Freshness
- Up to date
Steps
-
Incorporate a company under Gabonese law
What to do
Apart from individual artisanal mining, only a legal entity incorporated under Gabonese law can hold a mining title. A foreign company with a branch in Gabon can only obtain a reconnaissance authorisation.
- Channel
- Online
- Delay
- Not published
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Prepare the application file
What to do
Gather the identification and capacity documents required by article 15 of the code: articles and registration data, NIF, CNSS number, annual reports, staff references, evidence of financing and the work and expenditure programme.
- Institution
- Ministry of Mines and Geological Resources
- Channel
- At the counter
- Delay
- Not published
- Documents
-
File the application with the minister in charge of mines
What to do
The application is addressed to the minister in charge of mines and recorded by the mining cadastre service, which handles follow-up and issue. If several applications cover the same area, a competitive review compares technical offers, experience, benefits to the State and local content.
- Institution
- Ministry of Mines and Geological Resources
- Channel
- At the counter
- Delay
- Not published
- Fees
-
- Award fees and charges set by regulation
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Sign the mining agreement
What to do
The work and expenditure programme is set out in a mining agreement negotiated under the minister's authority and signed with the State. It sets the project's technical, tax, customs and environmental terms.
- Institution
- Ministry of Mines and Geological Resources
- Channel
- At the counter
- Delay
- Not published
- Documents
-
Receive the award order
What to do
The permit is issued by ministerial order for three years, renewable twice for the same period. Titles subject to the surface rental fee are sent to the Official Journal within 30 days for publication. An operator may not hold more than four exploration permits (two for diamonds).
- Institution
- Ministry of Mines and Geological Resources
- Channel
- At the counter
- Delay
- Not published
- Fees
-
- Surface rental fee
Process diagram (BPMN)
The diagram cannot be displayed: the BPMN file is invalid.
Documents to prepare
Tick each document as you go. Official templates can be downloaded when they exist.
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Documents required by article 15 of the mining code: identity, address, articles and registration data of the company and of its technical shareholders, NIF, CNSS number, annual reports for the last two years, qualifications and references...
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Certificate issued by the Directorate General of Taxes stating the taxpayer's identification, activity, address and tax identification number (NIF).
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Planned exploration work programme, with objectives by category of work and the related spending commitments. It is included in the mining agreement.
Fees
Legal basis
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Code
Mining code
Ask a question about this procedure
The assistant answers from the procedures and texts published on the portal, with sources.
