Department of Natural Resources Mineral Exploration Licence

Department of Natural Resources

Mineral Exploration: Licence
Who Needs This Licence?
Anyone in Nova Scotia who wants to:
a. prospect and explore for minerals;
b. extract minerals for test purposes; and
c. apply for a mineral lease within an area designated by the licence.

Note: This licence does not apply to Gypsum or non-crown Limestone, which are not classified as minerals in Nova Scotia.

Issuing Department / Agency:
N.S. Department of Natural Resources

Where can you get further information?
Registry of Mineral and Petroleum Titles
N.S. Department of Natural Resources

Tel: 902-424-4068		 Office Location:
 Founders Square
3rd floor
1701 Hollis Street
Halifax, NS B3J 3M8

Mailing Address:
 P.O. Box 698
Halifax, NS B3J 2T9
Application Forms & Process:
Applications for mineral rights are completed through the mineral rights online registry system, NovaROC. Please visit: novaroc.novascotia.ca.
Service standard:

Exploration License: 10 business days

Expiry & Renewal:
This licence is valid for 2 years from the date it is issued and is renewable as long as regulated work requirements are met. A Statement of Expenditures form and an assessment report must accompany the renewal application unless there is sufficient credit already associated with the licence from prior terms.
Price:  (No tax is charged)
Initial application: $10 per claim
First to fourth renewal: $20.00 per claim
Fifth to seventh renewal: $40.00 per claim
Eighth to twelfth renewal: $80.00 per claim
Thirteenth renewal and beyond: $320.00 per claim
Related Requirements:
  1. Before the licence is issued:
      1. The applicant must be registered in NovaROC
      2. Proprietorship / Partnership / Syndicated Corporate applicants must be registered with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies

    Registry staff will review the application to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and that any restrictions and/or conditions are documented.

  2. Before work begins:
      1. The applicant requires landowner permission before entering on any land for purposes of exploration. In the case of work on crown land, permission is through a permit
      2. For drilling, a drilling notification form is required to be submitted through NovaROC.
      3. For pitting / stripping by mechanized means or by manual means at depths greater than 1 meter, an excavation registration form is required to be submitted through NovaROC
      4. For aerial surveys, an aerial survey notification form is required to be submitted through NovaROC
      5. All work conducted pursuant to this Registration must be done in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Environment Act, and all other pertinent legislation.
Additional Information:
None

Legislative Authority:
Mineral Resources Act. 2016, c. 3, s. 1


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