Applying for the first mining permit

You can apply for the permit online via the "BergPass" platform or in writing to your local mountain authority.

Apply for a permit online via the "BergPass" platform:

• Go to the "BergPass" online platform and log in.
  • To register, you will need a bundID and an identity card or residence permit with an active online ID function.
• Call up the application form and fill it out completely and truthfully.
• Upload the required documents as a file and send the application.

Apply for a permit in writing to the competent mining authority:

• Contact your competent mining authority and coordinate the required application documents.
• Submit the application and all required documents by post to your competent mining authority.

Further procedural steps:

• The competent authority will check your application and the documents submitted. If any documents are missing, the authority will contact you.
• The mining authority alone decides on the approval, but usually carries out a participation process: If your work program contains measures and areas that affect the remit of other authorities or the municipalities as planning authorities, it will then distribute it to all authorities affected by the project.
• You will receive a notification by post informing you of the decision on your application. In addition, the decision will be sent electronically to the relevant mailbox (bundID or ELSTER company account) in advance and information will be displayed in BergPass.
• You will also receive a notification of costs. Pay the fees.

Please contact the Rhineland-Palatinate State Office for Geology and Mining (LGB).

Responsibility lies with the Rhineland-Palatinate State Office for Geology and Mining (LGB).

Certain requirements must be met before you can obtain a permit:

• You must precisely identify the mineral resources that you wish to prospect and mine.
• You or your representatives must have the necessary legal reliability.
• You must demonstrate that you can provide the necessary financing.
• You must be able to demonstrate that your project does not jeopardize the exploration and extraction of non-mining or natural resources.
• Your project must not impair any mineral resources whose protection is in the public interest.
• Your project must not affect any overriding public interests that preclude exploration in the entire field to be allocated, for example the environment and species protection.
• You must specify the exact locations and depths of the sites where you have discovered the mineral resources in a map.
• The field in which you wish to extract the mineral resources must
• • form a section of the earth's body bounded by straight lines on the surface and by perpendicular planes to depth, unless the boundaries of the area of application, such as state or federal boundaries, require a different course.
  • be marked on a map with a suitable scale and
  • be shown on a map that meets the requirements of the Unterlagen-Berg-Verordnung (Unterlagen-BergV).
• They must demonstrate that their location and characteristics make it possible to extract the discovered mineral resources.
• You must submit a work program that
  • describes the nature, purpose and scope of your project and
  • which shows in particular that the technical implementation and the necessary underground and surface facilities are adequate and that the mineral resources will be extracted within a reasonable period of time.

• Application for authorization
• Work program with the following information:
  • Description of the planned technical implementation of the extraction
  • Period for which you are applying for a permit
  • planned financial expenditure
  • Estimated schedule for the extraction activities
• Details of the management and company name and registered office
• extract from the commercial register
• Proof that the discovered mineral resources are recoverable according to their location and nature, including information on the content, nature, depth of the deposit and technical extraction possibilities
• Evidence of your financial capacity, for example in the form of balance sheets, bank statements, loan commitments showing the extent to which the expenditure will be financed from your own funds, loans or public subsidies
• A map drawn up by a mine surveyor in accordance with the criteria of the Mining Ordinance.
  • The number of application copies depends on the number of federal states, districts and other institutions involved. Mining permits are not issued across state borders.
  • Scale 1:5,000, 1:10,000 or 1:25,000.

The duration of a permit depends largely on the mineral resource and the predicted occurrence.

Permits are issued for a limited period of time, which must be appropriate for the implementation of the planned extraction. This may only exceed 50 years if this is necessary in view of the investments normally required for extraction.

If you do not commence extraction within 3 years of the permit being issued, the permit may be revoked. The same applies if you interrupt your extraction work for longer than 3 years.

Notifications will normally be sent to you within 6 to 12 months of submitting your application.

• §§ Sections 3 to 4 of the Federal Mining Act (BBergG)
• §§ Sections 6 to 10 of the Federal Mining Act (BBergG)
• § Section 8 of the Federal Mining Act (BBergG)
• § Section 11 No. 1 of the Federal Mining Act (BBergG)
• § Section 12 of the Federal Mining Act (BBergG)
• § Section 16 of the Federal Mining Act (BBergG)
• §§ Sections 1 to 6 of the Documents Mining Ordinance (UnterlagenBergV)
• State Ordinance on the Fees of the Mining Administration and the Geological Survey, Annex

• Objection, which is processed by the competent mining authority
• If necessary, subsequent appeal to the administrative court

• Written form required: Yes
• Online services available: Yes

• Information on the tasks and responsibilities of the Mining Department at the Rhineland-Palatinate State Office for Geology and Mining

14.01.2025