Pursuant to Section 1 and item 4 of Section 49 of Bt., the exploration of mineral resources shall be considered as mining operation.
Any mining operation in Hungary may only be pursued considering the regulations of Bt., the Government decree 203/1998 on its implementation (Vhr.) and other pertaining legislation. Pursuant to such legal rules any mining operations including the exploration of mineral resources are subject to permitting. The notion of exploration under the scope of Bt. is laid down in item 17 of Section 49 of Bt.
The minister shall grant a right for exploration in the concession contract for the exploration of the mineral resources and geothermal energy specified under the contract in a closed area. The Mining Authority shall issue the permit for exploration of mineral resources in an open area.
The granted right for exploration or permit for exploration for the exploration site provides exclusive right for the mining entrepreneur to submission of technical operation plan for exploration concerning mineral resources as well as geothermal energy, the initiation of approval, the exploration of mineral resources and geothermal energy upon approved technical operation plan for exploration as well as initiation of of establishment of mining plot upon approved final exploration report and designation of protective pillar.
Beyond condition set in paragraph (1), the exploration activity may only be commenced upon the approved technical operation plan for exploration. Technical operation plan shall be approved by the Mining Authority (paragraphs (1) to (3) of Section 22 of Bt.).
