Mining Permits and Concessions in Costa Rica
Technical support for managing mining permits and concessions before the Geology and Mines Directorate, integrating geology, mapping, territorial analysis and environmental assessment within the applicable project procedure.
What mining procedure do you need?
The technical and administrative process depends on the project's objectives. Before specifying studies or documents, it is important to identify the correct procedure.
Temporary Area Reservation
This is the initial stage for administratively reserving an area while proceeding with the required process for certain mining permits or concessions.
A temporary reservation does not, by itself, authorize exploration or extraction.
Exploration Permit
Allows investigation and characterization of mineral resources, subject to the conditions established by the competent authority.
Mining Extraction Concession
Authorizes the use and extraction of mineral resources under the concession regime applicable to the project.
We start by reviewing the area of interest
Before defining studies or initiating mining proceedings, we review the area and its territorial setting to identify previous records, existing rights and potential project constraints.
- Review of the National Mining Cadastre and the area's records.
- Review of files, concessions and mining rights relating to the area.
- Verification of coordinates and spatial boundaries of the area of interest.
- Cartographic analysis of the surroundings using GIS tools.
- Preliminary review of territorial features that may affect the project's feasibility or configuration.
Cadastre + mapping + territorial context
This initial review provides a clearer understanding of the area before investing in more extensive technical studies or moving forward with a specific application.
Reviewing the area first helps establish the appropriate procedure and the technical support required by the project.
Temporary Mining Area Reservation
For certain mining applications, the administrative process begins with a temporary reservation of the area of interest before proceeding to subsequent stages.
Administrative reservation of an area
Places the area of interest within the relevant administrative process while the required steps toward the intended permit or concession continue.
Not an exploration permit
A temporary reservation does not, by itself, authorize exploration, extraction or use of mineral resources.
Each stage serves a different purpose and requires its own procedure.
Mining and Environmental Approval
Mining procedures and environmental assessment are linked from the initial stages.
Temporary Reservation
The process begins by registering the area of interest within the applicable administrative procedure.
Environmental Assessment
After the temporary reservation is accepted, the environmental assessment continues before SETENA using the applicable instrument.
DGM Application Formalization
Once the corresponding Environmental Approval is obtained, the mining application proceeds toward formalization before the DGM.
DGM and SETENA procedures are separate but part of the same overall process
Environmental Approval does not replace a mining permit or concession, and proceedings before the DGM do not replace environmental assessment. Each institution acts within its own authority.
Exploration and extraction are not the same
Each stage has a different objective and requires its own authorization under the applicable mining regime.
Investigate and characterize the resource
Exploration is the investigation stage for mineral resources, providing information about their characteristics, distribution and geological conditions.
- Geological investigation of the area.
- Resource characterization.
- Technical information for subsequent stages.
Extract and use the resource
An extraction concession covers the use of mineral resources within the conditions and limits established for the project.
- Extraction and use of the resource.
- Concession-defined area and conditions.
- Compliance with applicable technical and environmental obligations.
Similarly, identifying a mineral resource does not, by itself, confer the right to extract or use it.
Geology, mapping and territorial analysis to support the application
We prepare and review the technical inputs needed to accurately document the area, geological setting and territorial conditions of the project.
- Geology: analysis of the geological setting, materials, outcrops and relevant site characteristics.
- Mapping and topographic survey: area delineation, official coordinates, access routes, plans and cartographic deliverables required by the specific procedure.
- GIS and spatial files: preparation and review of geographical information to accurately represent the project.
- Territorial analysis: review of surrounding features that may constrain the scope or development of the project.
- Environmental component: coordination with environmental assessment and other studies where these are part of the project process.
How does a mining application proceed through the DGM?
Once the application is formally submitted, the case file passes through various technical and administrative review stages before a granting decision is issued.
Case file review
The DGM reviews the technical, geological, topographic and administrative documentation submitted with the application.
Institutional inspection
During the process, a technical site inspection may take place to assess project conditions and the information provided.
Clarifications and revisions
When applicable, clarifications, corrections or additional information may be requested before the next stages.
Public notices and objections
The procedure includes the required public notice and an opportunity for objections during processing.
DGM recommendation
Once the assessment has been satisfactorily completed, the DGM prepares the corresponding technical and administrative recommendation.
Granting decision
The final granting decision falls to the Executive Branch, according to the applicable procedure.
Submitting an application therefore does not amount to automatic approval, and a granting decision does not remove subsequent obligations associated with the awarded mining right.
Not all mining procedures follow the same process
The scope, requirements and technical studies depend on the type of mining activity and the specific procedure being pursued.
Public-Domain Watercourses
Applications to extract materials from watercourses involve specific technical and territorial requirements.
View watercourse extractionMineral Processing Plants
Processing or beneficiation of extracted materials is separate from mining extraction and may require its own procedure.
View mineral processing plantsSubsequent procedures
An existing concession may require amendments, updates or other administrative and technical actions during its operation.
View existing concession managementCorrectly identifying the category from the outset helps define the project's technical and administrative process.
Important restrictions before starting mining procedures
Before preparing an application, it is essential to determine whether the proposed activity is permitted under the applicable rules and which mining category applies.
Open-pit metal mining is expressly prohibited in Costa Rica
The current legal framework prohibits the granting of permits and concessions for open-pit metal mining exploration and extraction, except for exemptions expressly provided by law.
Simply identifying a mineral resource or owning the property where it is located is therefore not enough. First, it is necessary to determine whether the intended activity can be legally authorized and under which regime.
Mineral resources are subject to the State's mining regime; owning the land does not replace the required permits or concessions.
Supporting the project from initial review through technical preparation of the application
Each project starts from different conditions. We therefore first review the area, the required procedure and available information before defining studies, mapping or documents.
Review of the area and objectives
We identify the location, background, type of procedure and current project status to establish the correct starting point.
Technical assessment
We review geology, mapping, spatial information, territorial context and environmental components associated with the procedure.
Preparation of technical inputs
We prepare or supplement studies, maps, plans, spatial files and technical documents according to the agreed scope.
Technical assistance with clarifications and requests
When the case file requires clarifications, corrections or further information within the contracted scope, we help prepare and organize the technical inputs needed to proceed.
Common questions about mining permits and concessions
Mining procedures involve different stages and authorizations. These answers distinguish some of the concepts that most frequently cause confusion.
Do I need a Temporary Area Reservation first?
For certain applications, the current procedure includes Temporary Mining Area Reservation as an initial stage. This reservation does not, by itself, authorize exploration or extraction.
What is the difference between exploration and extraction?
Exploration involves investigating and characterizing the resource. Extraction involves removing and using it under a concession. An exploration permit does not automatically constitute an extraction concession.
Do I need Environmental Approval from SETENA?
The regulatory process links mining procedures with environmental assessment. Environmental Approval is among the preliminary stages before certain mining applications can be formalized with the DGM.
Does owning land allow me to extract minerals?
No. Land ownership and mining rights are different. Use of mineral resources is subject to the State's permitting and concession regime.
Does Costa Rica allow open-pit metal mining?
The current legal framework prohibits the granting of permits and concessions for open-pit metal mining exploration and extraction, except for exemptions expressly established by law.
Are all mining concessions the same?
No. Different categories include extraction concessions, resource extraction from public-domain watercourses and mineral-processing procedures, each with its own requirements and conditions.
Does the DGM directly grant the concession?
The DGM processes, assesses, inspects and provides the corresponding recommendation. Granting is formalized through the Executive Branch's applicable decision procedure.
Can Geo Costa Rica review an application already in progress?
Yes. We can review available records, maps, studies and technical requests to identify gaps and help prepare supplementary information within the contracted scope.
We review the area, case file status and technical process before defining the scope
If you are considering a Temporary Area Reservation, exploration permit or extraction concession, or need to complete an application already in progress, we can review the available information and identify the studies, maps and technical documents your project actually requires.