Mining Concession Management
Technical assistance with amendments, renewals, reports, mapping updates and other procedures associated with previously granted mining permits and concessions.
An existing concession may require additional procedures
Granting a concession does not mean that its case file is closed. During its term, amendments, technical obligations, updates or additional requests may arise before the Geology and Mines Directorate.
Renewals and term adjustments
Procedures related to continuing a concession within the limits allowed under the applicable legal framework.
Area extensions and amendments
Applications involving changes to the area, spatial configuration or other adjustments to the concession.
Assignment and transfer
Procedures involving changes of titleholder, indirect exploitation or other arrangements permitted by law.
Suspension of activities
Applications concerning temporary interruptions of operations when grounds exist that must be formalized before the DGM.
Partial or total relinquishment
Changes involving reduction or relinquishment of the originally granted area.
Reports and information requests
Preparation or review of technical reports and supplementary documentation during the concession term.
We first examine the case file and concession status
Before preparing a new application, we review what was originally authorized, any existing amendments and the technical and administrative status of the case file.
- Granting resolution and its conditions.
- Current area, term and titleholder.
- Plans and maps included in the case file.
- Submitted technical reports and background documents.
- Outstanding requests or procedures.
Renewals and adjustments to the concession term
Continuation of a concession must be requested before expiry and assessed according to the type of right, current term and technical conditions of the case file.
Continuation of the right
The application must be submitted before expiry and meet all applicable technical, administrative and legal requirements.
Adjustment of the term
A term adjustment is not synonymous with renewal. It is a specific mechanism for adjusting the concession term or its renewals when technically and legally appropriate.
Submitting an application does not, by itself, extend the originally granted term. If the concession expires before the renewal or adjustment receives a final decision, operations must be suspended as required by the applicable legal framework.
Changes to area, ownership or method of exploitation
Some amendments directly affect the conditions under which a concession was granted and require a formal procedure before the DGM.
Area extension
Extending an area is not merely a change to the polygon of an existing concession. The additional area must undergo the requirements and procedures applicable to a new concession, up to its proper registration.
Assignment or transfer
Changes of titleholder must be formally processed under mining law. A private agreement between parties does not replace the required authorization.
Indirect or joint exploitation
These arrangements must be assessed according to the applicable mechanism and case file conditions, as they do not automatically constitute an assignment or transfer of title.
Adding new territory to a mining right requires a separate procedure. Maps are part of the technical supporting documentation, but do not by themselves change the legally concessioned area.
An active concession may require other specific procedures
Changes in operations may lead to applications concerning suspension of activities, relinquishments, easements, machinery or exports of samples and materials.
Suspension of activities
Voluntary suspension must be requested and justified before the DGM prior to interrupting operations. Operational or financial difficulties do not, by themselves, authorize an indefinite suspension of extraction.
Partial relinquishment
Reduces the concession area while maintaining the right over the remaining territory, subject to the applicable procedure.
Total relinquishment
Total relinquishment is not merely an amendment to the case file: it entails termination of the mining right under the applicable legal framework.
Easements
These require a specific procedure and do not automatically confer rights over neighboring properties merely because a mining concession exists.
Machinery replacement
If the replacement does not change the approved extraction method, the DGM must be notified within the regulatory period. If the new equipment changes the working method, prior authorization is required.
Export of samples or materials
The applicable procedure depends on the type of material, its origin, destination and characteristics, and therefore requires specific review.
Voluntary suspension requires prior DGM authorization, except in exceptional circumstances established by regulation.
Reports and obligations during the concession term
Granting a concession does not close the case file. Throughout its term, technical, professional, environmental and administrative obligations remain in effect and must be kept current.
Technical monitoring of extraction
Extraction concessions are subject to periodic activity reports before the DGM. Their content and the relevant professional responsibilities depend on the type of concession and case file conditions.
Responding to observations and updates
During the concession term, information requests, clarifications, corrections or technical updates may arise and must be integrated consistently into the approved case file.
The granted right remains subject to oversight and compliance
Technical monitoring
Activity reports and technical documentation concerning extraction.
Professional oversight
Responsible professional, logbook and other technical controls applicable to the type of concession.
Financial obligations
Fees and other financial obligations applicable during the term of the right.
Technical and environmental compliance
Approved project conditions, DGM directives and applicable environmental obligations.
The case file remains active and must maintain consistency between operations, reports, mapping, professional oversight, environmental conditions and all other obligations applicable throughout the term.
Updated mapping to support changes to the case file
When a procedure modifies the area, access roads, infrastructure or project configuration, spatial documentation must remain consistent with the actual status of the concession.
We understand the case file before proposing changes
Each concession has different background information, conditions and obligations. We therefore review the case file first, then define the documents needed for the new procedure.
Case file review
We assess the resolution, area, term, background and available documentation.
Procedure assessment
We identify the appropriate procedure and the technical or mapping inputs that require updating.
Preparation and assistance
We prepare or supplement documents and provide technical support in responding to requests within the agreed scope.
Common questions about existing mining concessions
Amendments and obligations relating to an active concession depend on its actual case file status, the type of right and the conditions under which it was granted.
Can an existing concession be amended?
Yes. Different procedures can change certain concession conditions, but each amendment must follow the applicable process.
Is renewal of a concession automatic?
No. Renewal must be requested and comply with applicable technical, administrative and legal conditions. Submitting the application does not automatically extend the term.
Can I continue extraction while my renewal is pending?
Do not assume that filing for renewal automatically extends the term. If the concession expires before the renewal or adjustment has received a final decision, operations must be suspended under the applicable legal framework.
Does expanding a concession simply mean changing its map?
No. An extension incorporates additional territory into the mining right. That additional area must follow the requirements and procedures applicable to a new concession, up to its proper registration.
Can a concession be transferred?
Procedures exist for assignment, transfer and other arrangements concerning ownership or exploitation. A private agreement does not replace the authorization required under mining law.
Can I temporarily suspend extraction?
There is a procedure for suspending activities. Voluntary suspension must be requested and justified before the DGM prior to stopping operations, except in exceptional circumstances provided for by regulation.
Can I replace machinery without authorization?
It depends on the effect of the change. If the replacement does not alter the approved extraction method, the DGM must be notified within the regulatory period. If it changes the working method, prior authorization is required.
Must I submit reports after the concession is granted?
Yes. Extraction concessions are subject to periodic activity reports to the DGM. The content and applicable professional responsibilities depend on the concession type and relevant legal framework.
Do obligations end after the concession is granted?
No. Throughout its term, the concession remains subject to reports, professional oversight, financial obligations, mapping and technical documentation, environmental conditions and other requirements applicable to the case file.
Can Geo Costa Rica review an old case file?
Yes. We can review the resolution, background, term, plans, mapping and available documentation to determine the technical status of the case file and the appropriate procedure.
Can you update concession maps?
Yes. We can review or prepare maps, coordinates, plans and GIS files when they form part of the technical support required for the procedure.
Is partial relinquishment the same as giving up the entire concession?
No. Partial relinquishment reduces the area while preserving the right over the remainder. Total relinquishment results in termination of the mining right under the applicable procedure.
We review the case file before selecting the appropriate procedure
We can review the resolution, term, area, plans, mapping, background documents and outstanding requirements to identify the appropriate procedure and the technical support the case file needs.