This section sets forth the eligibility requirements for licences to engage in processing and/or trade and/or transport of development minerals when those activities are conducted separately and independently from minerals extraction. As noted above, integrated mining projects that include these activities should be licenced by the Regulating Authority through a single process. When processing, trade and/or transport of development minerals are conducted independently, however, they are industrial and commercial activities rather than mining activities. As such, depending on the jurisdiction, they will generally be licenced by an authority other than the Regulating Authority for exploration and exploitation of minerals (e.g., by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and/or a provincial/state regulating entity). Nevertheless, to assure consistency and clarity, the related eligibility and licensing requirements can be set forth in the mining law, to be implemented by the appropriate licensing authority.

The provisions on eligibility state who may apply for a licence to engage in processing, trade and/or transport of development minerals, as well as who may not do so. The eligibility provisions may include stipulations as to origin, residency and type of person or entity.

Because processing, trade and transport of development minerals can be licenced separately and by different regulating entities, the eligibility requirements for each type of licence may vary.