Togo: Mineral Exploration Permit Applications Resume to Boost Investment

• Togo has resumed accepting applications for mineral prospecting authorizations and exploration permits, following a several-month suspension.
• The measure, enacted by Minister Delegate Robert Koffi Messan Eklo on August 18, 2026, applies nationwide to attract investment and assess mineral potential.
• Applications are processed by the Directorate General of Mines and Geology under existing regulations, requiring technical/financial capacity and work programs for exploration permits.
• Exploration permits are valid for three years with two two-year renewals, while non-exclusive prospecting authorizations are for two years with two one-year renewals.
• This reopening occurs while the government continues its reform of the mining code, which was the reason for the "strategic pause" initiated in March 2025.

This resumption of applications under existing regulations, therefore, represents an interim phase.

Togo has officially reinstated the process for submitting applications for mineral prospecting authorizations and exploration permits, ending a suspension that had been in place for several months. This significant development was formalized through an order signed on August 18, 2026, by Robert Koffi Messan Eklo, the Minister Delegate for Energy and Mineral Resources, and its provisions are applicable across the entire nation.

The decision to resume accepting applications is a strategic move by the Togolese government. It aims to enhance the nation's understanding of its inherent mineral wealth and to stimulate increased investment within the mining sector. Concurrently, this initiative is unfolding as the government actively works towards a comprehensive overhaul of its existing regulatory framework governing mining activities.

While the suspension has been lifted, allowing companies and investors to once again seek mineral exploration licenses, it is crucial to note that this does not grant automatic permission to commence exploration activities. Instead, it reopens the channel for applications to be submitted and subsequently evaluated. These applications will continue to be processed and reviewed by the Directorate General of Mines and Geology, adhering strictly to the regulations currently in force.

The application process for mineral exploration permits in Togo requires prospective operators to demonstrate several key capabilities. Applicants must provide clear evidence of their technical and financial capacity to undertake such ventures. Furthermore, a detailed work program outlining their planned activities is mandatory, alongside specific information regarding the proposed exploration area.

Once granted, an exploration permit is valid for an initial period of three years. This permit offers the possibility of renewal, with two subsequent renewals each lasting for two years. This structure provides a potential total operational period of seven years for exploration activities.

In contrast, prospecting authorizations operate under a different set of rules. These authorizations are non-exclusive, meaning multiple entities can hold them for overlapping areas, and they permit holders to search for mineral substances within a clearly defined geographical zone. Prospecting authorizations are initially issued for a two-year term and can be renewed twice, with each renewal extending the authorization for an additional one-year period.

The preceding suspension of permit and authorization issuance, which began in March 2025, was characterized by authorities as a "strategic pause." This temporary halt was specifically implemented to facilitate the preparation and development of a revised legal and regulatory framework for the mining sector. The government's intention behind this pause was to ensure that future mining activities would be governed by an updated and more effective set of rules.

This resumption of applications under existing regulations, therefore, represents an interim phase. It allows for continued engagement and investment in the sector while the broader legislative reforms are still underway. The government is balancing the immediate need to attract investment and gather geological data with the long-term objective of establishing a robust and modern mining code.

The ongoing reform of Togo's mining code is a critical element in the country's strategy to optimize its mineral resource management and attract sustainable investment. While the current reopening of applications provides immediate opportunities for companies to secure mineral exploration licenses and prospecting authorizations, the evolving regulatory landscape necessitates careful monitoring.

Future changes introduced by the mining code reform could potentially alter the requirements for obtaining and maintaining permits, introduce new compliance obligations, or modify the terms and conditions under which mining operations are conducted. Therefore, investors and operators entering the Togolese mining sector at this juncture must remain apprised of these impending legislative adjustments to ensure long-term compliance and strategic planning.

Lawyers advising clients on Togolese mining investments should note that applications for mineral exploration permits and prospecting authorizations have reopened under existing regulations. While this presents an immediate opportunity for new ventures, practitioners must also monitor the ongoing mining code reform, which could introduce new compliance requirements or alter the regulatory landscape in the near future.

Source: Original reporting via Africa Mining Forum