An Exploration License may be issued to a natural person or a legal entity that has the necessary qualifications and sufficient capacity to conduct exploration and to assess the potential of mineral resources. Applicants may apply for an area not exceeding 200 (two hundred) square kilometers. The License may be extended 2 times. In exceptional cases, further extension may be granted following the procedures mentioned in Sub-Decree 72.
First Exploration license: 3 years
Second Exploration license: 2 years
Third Exploration license: 2 years
Application Process
Step 1
Fill out the relevant application form, whichcan be downloaded here or requested free of charge from the One Window Service Office (OWSO) at the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME).
Step 2
Submit a completed application form to the OWSO during working hours along with the following documents:
An exploration study plan, including:
Methodology
Detailed work program
Estimated budget
Technical expertise and available financial resources.
Company profile.
Preliminary assessment report, informational report, or relevant survey data.
Initial Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (IESIA) report.
Copy of tax registration certificate, certified by the Commune and District authorities.
Copy of the company’s Articles of Association, certified by the Commune and District authorities.
Copy of Certificate of Commercial Registration in the Kingdom of Cambodia certified by the Commune and District authorities.
Copy of the current year’s patent tax certificate, certified by the Commune and District authorities.
Receipt confirming payment of the application fee (1,000,000 Riel).
Step 3
Once the application and supporting documents are reviewed and confirmed complete, technical officials will conduct an on-site inspection to assess location suitability for the proposed project. Following the inspection, the technical officials will prepare a report and submit for review.
Applicant will receive a written response (approval or rejection) within 45 working days from the date MME receives the completed application.
Step 4
Following the approval, the General Department of Mineral Resources will issue a notification letter to the applicant to collect the license and proceed with payment of fees and other financial obligations at the Department of Mineral Resource Economic Planning.