Ministerial Order No. 64/2016 on the Specific Licensing Rules for Mineral Exploitation Activities.

This Ministerial Order, consisting of 46 articles divided into five Chapters and six Annexes, establishes the Specific Licensing Rules for Mineral Exploration Activities. It applies to Research and Exploitation of Construction Materials, certain Transformation Materials and Ornamental Stones, and regulates the licensing procedures, including related taxes, for Mining Activities in Timor-Leste, with the exception of the Special Administrative Region of Oe-cusse. To ensure the implementation of best exploitation practices, the Mining Rights Holder shall comply with the health and safety requirements of the Mining Activities provided for. All Mining Activities should be planned and implemented according to: a) laws and regulations designed to protect and preserve the environment so as to use and produce the minerals in a sustainable manner; and b) practices and standards generally accepted in the mining industry, in order to prevent and reduce the generation of waste and the loss of natural resources, protecting them from unnecessary damages. The Mining Rights Holder shall ensure that Mining Activities are carried out by competent personnel. In the case of exploration operations, the Mining Rights Holder shall ensure the competence of the personnel in the fields of health and safety, engineering, geology, human and financial resources. Mining Activities in Protected Areas are prohibited.