The mineral policy seeks to ensure the exploitation of mineral resources in a manner that minimizes the social, environmental and economic consequences of mining. 

The GON recognizes that the successful exploration and exploitation of the country’s mineral resources requires both technical expertise and financial strength that can to a large extent be provided by foreign investment capital.

A central platform for the new policy on development of the mining sector is the transformation of the role of government from that of “owner-operator” to “administrator-regulator”. This is to allow the private sector take a frontal role in the growth of the sector.

To attract overseas inves­tors, the government is committed to fostering a stable regulatory, economic and political environment, which encourages investors to make long-term commitments to the exploration and development of the country’s mineral wealth.

The principal elements of minerals policy are legis­lated. However, the policies, that do not require legislation, are an integral part of the regulations or mineral agreements.  Mineral agreements are only applicable to such mining operations as are deemed to be of large-scale with significant impact on the development of the sector.