The Exploration Permit is the document that authorizes the miner to carry out the necessary studies for the delimitation of a mineral deposit. Should the period granted for the exploration prove insufficient, the mining legislation allows the titleholder to request an extension. To do so, the interested party must submit the Partial Report (RPP). This technical document details the activities already carried out, the data obtained, and the justification for needing more time.
The extension must be requested up to 60 days before the permit’s expiration, in accordance with the legislation. The RPP is a document different from the Final Research Report (RFP), as its function is not to conclude the work, but to demonstrate the project’s progress to the National Mining Agency (ANM). Law No. 14.514/2022 establishes that the validity period of the authorization is extendable, which allows the miner to continue the studies to determine the project’s viability.
Exceptions to the Submission of the Final Report
In certain situations, the titleholder of the exploration permit is not obligated to submit the Final Research Report (RFP):
- The first exception occurs when the titleholder formally renounces the authorization before one-third (1/3) of the title’s validity period has elapsed. This measure exempts the miner from submitting the RFP, provided that the renunciation is communicated to the ANM within the legal deadline.
- Another situation that exempts the titleholder from the RFP is the absence of entry into the area. If the miner proves that they did not access the exploration area and that the lack of access was not due to their responsibility, they can renounce the title at any time without the need to present the report.
However, it is important to emphasize that, even in cases of renunciation, the Annual Fee per Hectare (TAH) must be paid up to the moment of the formal request.
The RPP: Content and Purpose
The Partial Report is a technical and scientific document whose purpose is to provide the ANM with a clear view of the progress of the mineral exploration project. It must contain information about the geological characteristics of the area, the results of the studies already carried out, and the technical or operational challenges encountered. The RPP serves to support the extension request and assist the agency in making decisions about the project’s continuation.
The existence of a system that allows for the extension of the term demonstrates recognition of the complexity of mineral exploration, which often requires more time than expected to obtain complete data and to analyze the economic viability.
Learn more about the Final Exploration Report and the Negative Final Exploration Report.
📷Canva/Edition by ÍGNEABR
