Exploration Licences and Subsoil Use Support

What Subsoil Use Licensing Includes

A subsoil use licence is the state's official authorisation to conduct exploration or mining operations on a specific subsurface area. In Kazakhstan, there are two main types of licences:

Exploration Licence — grants the right to geological study of subsurface resources, conducting prospecting and exploration work to determine the commercial viability of a deposit. This stage precedes mining and allows for assessment of geological reserves, mineral quality, and economic feasibility of further development.

Mining Licence — authorises industrial exploitation of an explored deposit. Obtaining such a licence is only possible after successful completion of exploration work, reserve confirmation, and preparation of project documentation for development.

Minerals Operating supports companies at all stages — from obtaining an exploration licence to transitioning to mining operations, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and minimising the risk of rejection by regulators.

Stages of Subsoil Use Support

Document Preparation

The first and critically important stage is gathering and preparing a complete package of documents for licence application submission. Requirements vary depending on the type of subsoil use, but mandatory documents include:

• Feasibility study of planned operations
• Exploration programme detailing methods and timelines
• Environmental impact assessment
• Financial guarantees of obligation fulfilment
• Documents confirming the technical and financial capacity of the subsoil user

Minerals Operating prepares all necessary documentation in strict accordance with the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Subsoil and Subsoil Use" dated 27 December 2017 No. 125-VI, as well as subordinate legislation, including the Rules for Granting Subsoil Use Rights (Order of the Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development No. 512 dated 30 December 2019).

Application Submission and Regulator Engagement

After document preparation comes the official application submission stage to the authorised body — the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan or its territorial divisions. The process includes:

• Submitting the application through electronic systems or in paper format
• Undergoing document examination by competent authorities
• Participating in competitive procedures (if the area is granted on a competitive basis)
• Obtaining conclusions from state expert reviews (environmental, technical, geological)

Our team coordinates engagement with regulatory bodies, promptly prepares additional materials upon request, and provides technical explanations during the approval process.

Support During the Licence Validity Period

Obtaining a licence is only the beginning. The subsoil user must comply with licence agreement conditions, submit timely reports, and undergo state inspections. Minerals Operating provides:

• Preparation of annual and quarterly reports on programme implementation
• Liaison with supervisory authorities during scheduled and unscheduled inspections
• Consultations on licence condition amendments (term extensions, boundary changes, programme adjustments)

Inspection Preparation and Compliance Monitoring

State control over compliance with subsoil legislation is conducted regularly. Inspections can be scheduled (according to a timetable) or unscheduled (following complaints or detected violations). We help clients:

• Conduct internal audits of licence condition compliance
• Prepare documents for submission to inspecting authorities
• Attend inspections as representatives of the subsoil user
• Prepare technical materials and explanations in response to comments from inspecting authorities

Local Legislation Requirements

Subsoil use licensing in Kazakhstan is governed by a strict regulatory framework. The main documents that guide Minerals Operating in licence preparation and support include:

• Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Subsoil and Subsoil Use" (dated 27 December 2017 No. 125-VI) — the foundational law defining the procedure for granting subsoil use rights, types of licences, and subsoil user obligations.
• Rules for Granting Subsoil Use Rights (Order of the Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development No. 512 dated 30 December 2019) — detail the application submission procedure, document composition, and review timelines.
• Rules for Conducting Competitions for Obtaining Subsoil Use Rights (approved by Order of the Minister of Investment and Development No. 655 dated 29 June 2015, as amended) — regulate the procedure for conducting competitions for subsurface areas and application evaluation criteria.
• Environmental Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (dated 2 January 2021 No. 400-VI) — establishes environmental safety requirements for subsoil use and the procedure for obtaining environmental permits.
• Technical Regulations and Standards — including international reserve reporting standards (KAZRC, JORC, NI 43-101), which are applied in deposit evaluation and investment attraction.

Knowledge of current legislation and its practical application is key to successful licence acquisition and support. Minerals Operating continuously monitors changes in the regulatory framework and adapts work strategies to account for new requirements.

Available Services from Minerals Operating

We offer three core areas of support for subsoil users:

 End-to-end support — a full range of services from licensing eligibility analysis to representation before government authorities. Our experts have years of experience working with Kazakhstani regulatory bodies.

Technical Documentation Preparation — development of geological programmes, feasibility studies, and deposit development projects. All documents are prepared in accordance with national and international standards, which is particularly important for companies attracting foreign investors.

Regulatory Engagement — support for document submission and review, including the preparation of technical explanations and additional materials requested by regulatory authorities.

By entrusting subsoil use support to Minerals Operating, you gain a reliable partner who will handle all the complexities of government engagement, leaving you time for strategic business development and organisation of exploration or mining operations.