Rock rights

The data show areas covered with rock rights for the state’s minerals, as defined by the “Law on the acquisition and extraction of mineral resources (the Mineral Act)” §7. The data set contains defined areas for survey (UN) and extraction rights (UT). Several rock rights may be issued for the same geographical area; the data set has overlapping surfaces, but the individual rights have different priorities. The first priority applies based on the date received, described in the SubmittedDato attribute. The Directorate for Mineral Management with the Bergmesteren for Svalbard (DMF) is the owner of the data set. A right of investigation on the minerals of the State is granted as a right in a particular area, and not as a right to a particular occurrence. Whoever has the right to investigate with the best priority, i.e. the person who applied for the right first, has the exclusive right to apply for extraction rights pursuant to section 29 of the Minerals Act. Validity for investigation rights is 7 years from the best priority, extraction rights have 10 years validity. Rights may be extended by decision, cf. the Minerals Act § 23 and sections 33-34.