Mijnbouwwet (Dutch Mining Act), originally enacted in 2002 and frequently updated, is the Netherlands’ primary statute governing the exploration, extraction, and storage of minerals and subsurface resources. It provides the legal framework for licensing (exploration and production permits), environmental and safety regulation, and the management of mining-related activities on land and the continental shelf.

The Act establishes a permit-based system with strict requirements for environmental impact assessments, financial guarantees, and decommissioning obligations. It has been substantially amended in recent years to incorporate rules on subsurface energy storage (including CO₂), geothermal energy, and the phase-out of gas extraction in Groningen. Like its EU counterpart, its practical impact is shaped by how it balances resource development with environmental protection and public safety; particularly in a densely populated country with strong seismic and subsidence concerns.

Recent revisions have expanded provisions for carbon storage and critical raw materials support, aligning Dutch mining policy with broader European strategic autonomy goals, while maintaining one of Europe’s most stringent regulatory regimes for subsurface operations.