João Afonso Fialho and Gonçalo Teixeira da Silva contribute to Cescon Barrieu’s Mining Guide 2026 with an analysis of access to mining titles in Timor-Leste.

In the chapter“Access to Mining Titles”, they provide an overview of the legal and regulatory framework governing mining activities in the country, as Timor-Leste seeks to diversify its resource base and develop its non-petroleum mineral wealth. The country has deposits of gold, copper, manganese, marble, chromium and rare earth elements, among other resources.

The analysis covers the procedures for awarding mineral rights, the different types and duration of mining titles, the rules applicable to foreign investment and local content, the specific framework governing the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno, and State participation in the sector.

The chapter also highlights the regime applicable to strategic minerals. Under Decree-Law 19/2024 of 25 March, rare earth and radioactive minerals have been classified as strategic and are therefore subject to the specific State participation and marketing regime applicable to these resources.

The chapter was prepared by VdA for publication in Cescon Barrieu’s Mining Guide 2026 and reflects information current as of July 2026.