How do prospecting licences differ from mining leases in Sabah?

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Prospecting Licences are Preliminary Exploration Permits, Distinct from Granted Mining Leases in Sabah

In Sabah, prospecting licences represent the initial stage of mineral exploration, focused on surveying and gathering geomineral data. These licences are a prerequisite for any subsequent consideration of mining leases, which grant the right to extract minerals. To date, the Sabah state government has exclusively issued prospecting licences and has not granted any mining leases.
Prospecting Licences Pave the Way for Mineral Exploration

Prospecting licences serve as the foundational permit for companies to conduct exploration activities within designated areas in Sabah. The primary objective of these licences is to facilitate the systematic collection of geomineral data, which is crucial for assessing the potential viability of mineral deposits. This phase is strictly for exploration and data acquisition, not for commercial extraction.
Mining Leases are a Subsequent Stage for Extraction Rights

A mining lease is a formal authorisation that can only be considered after a company has successfully obtained a prospecting licence and identified significant mineral resources. The issuance of a mining lease signifies the state's approval for a company to proceed with the actual extraction and commercial exploitation of minerals found within a specified area. This represents a more advanced stage in the mineral development process, requiring substantial evidence of mineral reserves.
No Mining Leases Have Been Issued to Date

The Chief Minister of Sabah has explicitly stated that, as of the current time, the state government has not issued any mining leases. The government's focus has been solely on the issuance of prospecting licences, which are preliminary permits for exploration. Claims suggesting that mining leases have been granted under the current administration have been described as false and intended to create confusion and destabilise the state.
Politicisation Surrounds Allegations of Bribery and Licences

Allegations of bribery linked to mineral prospecting licences have surfaced, with the Chief Minister attributing these claims to "certain parties" attempting to politicise the issue. These parties allegedly sought to threaten the state government after their large-scale application for mining rights, encompassing nearly one million acres, was unsuccessful. The Chief Minister has asserted that allegations of elected representatives seeking bribes or engaging in misconduct are baseless and are part of a deliberate effort to destabilise the state's political landscape.

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How do prospecting licences differ from mining leases in Sabah?

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