Gold panning permit
- Permit or other obligation
- Nationwide
- Public service
Panning for gold in state-owned land must be authorised by the mining authority. The gold panning permit grants the permit holder exclusive rights to recover and use the gold, and any fragments of platinum and precious stones and jewels found in the area that the permit covers. A gold panning permit can be granted for state-owned land. The maximum permissible area is 7 ha.
Do the following
Gold panning permits are issued by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes). An application for a permit must include details which are necessary for the permit to be considered:
1) the applicant and the applicant's ability to carry out the activity that is the subject of the permit application;
2) the area covered by the application and its zoning situation, and restrictions on the use of the land and details on how these restrictions have been considered;
3) parties whose interests, rights or obligations may be affected by the permit;
4) the operating conditions:
a) in particular, a preliminary assessment of the mining minerals in the area and the basis for the assessment of the application for a mineral prospecting permit;
b) in the case of an application for a mining permit, the usability of the recovered minerals;
5) operational plans;
6) the environmental and other impacts of the activities, taking into account the nature and extent of the planned measures. A statement is not required when the information required is contained in the environmental impact assessment report referred to in paragraph 3 (2) of the Mining Act;
7) ceasing of activities and follow-up measures.
To whom and on what terms
The person who is the first to apply for a gold panning permit as prescribed in section 34 of the Mining Act (621/2011) has priority for the gold panning permit. If the application for a gold panning permit is incomplete or lacking necessary details set in the Mining Act, an application filed by another applicant that does fulfil the application requirements may be given priority.
Gold panners are required to submit an annual report to the mining authority on the amount of gold recovered and the amount of soil that was processed during the panning. The report must also include details of any construction or building work and other land use in the permit area. Gold panners must also draw up mining waste management plans.
If the trader is established in another country within the European Economic Area and provides services in Finland on a temporary basis, an application for a permit is required as is the case for traders established in Finland.
Deadline
You must apply for a gold panning permit before you start panning for gold.
Processing time
3 to 24 months.
Period of validity
Four years. The gold panning permit may be applied for up to a maximum of ten years at a time.