Applying for a transfer of the mining license

If you wish to transfer the mining permit to a third party, you require the consent of the competent authority.

A mining permit allows you to explore for one or more mineral resources.

The mining permit covers so-called non-mining mineral resources that are of particular economic importance. These include energy resources such as hard coal and lignite or crude oil and natural gas, but also metals, salts, geothermal energy and lithium.

If you or your company have a mining permit for the exploration of mineral resources, you can transfer this to third parties under certain conditions. To do so, you need the written consent of the competent authority.

The mining department of the Darmstadt Regional Council is responsible.

• Third parties must undertake, at the request of the competent mining authority
  • disclose the results of your exploration work to the authority immediately after its completion, at the latest when the permit expires (annual report or final report),
  • to involve other organizations that also have an exploration permit and are searching for the same mineral resource in your commercial exploration areas in your exploration project or to be represented in this,
    • if your project is for scientific purposes: the holders of a permit for exploration for commercial purposes,
    • if your project is for large-scale exploration: the holders of a permit for exploration for commercial purposes or an authorization or the owners of mines,
• You, or your representatives, must have the necessary legal reliability.
• You must be able to credibly demonstrate that you can provide the necessary financing for proper exploration.
• You must be able to demonstrate that your exploration project will not jeopardize the exploration and extraction of non-mining or mined natural resources.
• Your exploration project must not impair any mineral resources whose protection is in the public interest.
• Your exploration project must not affect any overriding public interests that preclude the search in the entire field to be allocated, for example environmental and animal protection.

Action before the administrative court

• You can apply for the transfer of your permit online via the "BergPass" platform or in writing to your competent mountain authority.
• Apply for a permit transfer online:
• 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 the transfer of a permit in writing:

• Contact your responsible mining authority and coordinate the required application documents.

Further procedural steps:

• The competent authority will check your application and the documents submitted. If any documents are missing, they will contact you.
• 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.