A retention licence allows a prospecting licence holder to “park” a mineral discovery — retaining exclusive rights over it — when market conditions, infrastructure, or financing aren’t yet right for full-scale mining. It bridges the gap between prospecting and mining.
Fee Summary Table
| Item | Fee / Charge |
|---|---|
| Application fee | Ksh. 500,000 |
| Annual ground rent | Ksh. 6,000 per km², subject to a minimum of Ksh. 500,000 per licence year |
| Document perusal (per hour) | Ksh. 2,000 |
Source: The Mining (Licence and Permit) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (Legal Notice 43 of 2024).
What You Need
- Form RTL1 application, submitted by an existing prospecting licence holder
- Justification for retention rather than immediate progression to mining
- Evidence of the original prospecting work and discovery
- Company registration and tax compliance documents
Why the Ground Rent Is Higher Than Prospecting
Notice that the retention licence’s per-km² ground rent (Ksh. 6,000) is double that of a prospecting licence (Ksh. 3,000). This reflects the fact that a retention licence locks up a known mineral resource without active development — the government charges more to discourage indefinite “land banking” of viable deposits.
A retention licence is a useful tool if your project genuinely needs more time before mining begins, but the elevated annual ground rent means it’s not a cheap way to sit on a discovery. The Cabinet Secretary decides retention applications within 90 days, so factor that into your project timeline.
