The grant of an Industrial or Semi-industrial Mining Operation Permit will result in the cancellation of the Exploration Permit within the area of the Operating Permit. However, Exploration in relation to the mining operation may continue. Should a mineral substance other than the one for which the Operating Permit has been granted be discovered in the course of that exploration, the holder shall have a pre-emptive right in respect of its mining operations. This right must be exercised within a maximum of eighteen (18) months from the date of notification of the discovery to the State.
In the absence of a valid Exploration Permit and for a discovered Deposit, the Operating Permit is granted in accordance with the competitive and transparent tender procedure pursuant to the rules to be defined in the statutory instruments. The invitation to tender is implemented by the Technical Committee of Titles in collaboration with the National Mining Commission.