Source: Leslie Olmstead, Director of Mineral Rights at KoBold Metals
If land is the foundation of nations and economies, then land management is the system that keeps it all functioning. For the mining industry in particular, effective land management isn’t optional, it’s essential. As Leslie Olmstead of KoBold Metals puts it, “Without land, you have no mineral development.”
Here’s why land management matters and how it plays a role throughout the mining life cycle.
Exploration
The mining life cycle begins with exploration. Before drilling a single hole, companies must ask critical land-related questions:
- Is the land available and accessible?
- Can it be staked, or must it be purchased?
- Who are the current landholders or users?
- Are there other land or environmental sensitivities?
- How much will acquisition or agreements add to the budget?
Exploration is not just about geology – it is about ensuring land tenure is secure and appropriate for the intended use.
Consultations, Permitting, and Financing
Every stage of consultation, from discussions with Indigenous communities to government negotiations, revolves around land. How will operations affect the land and water? What are the long-term impacts for stakeholders?
Permitting adds another layer. Regulators want detailed information on tenure, land types, proposed activities, and assurances for rehabilitation. Without this groundwork, permitting can stall, sometimes permanently.
Financiers also demand clarity. When companies raise funds through private equity or public markets, investors look for secure tenure. Without it, projects become too risky to support.
A company’s Board will require all of these permits (from pit to port) to be in place before they will commit and secure the funds to build the project.
Construction and Operations
By the time a project enters construction, most land assets should be secured. However, land management continues to play a vital role, ensuring survey accuracy, tracking disturbances, compliance with environmental approvals, maintaining “as-built” maps, clarifying encumbrances, and supporting ongoing community and regulatory engagement.
For example, understanding entitlements (such as zoning benefits) or encumbrances (like tax liens) directly impacts a project’s economics and operations.
Mining
During the production phase of a mine, the focus for a land manager is on reporting and royalties, and ensuring the company is following all commercial and statutory obligations.
Closure and Reclamation
The closure and reclamation phase involves monitoring and, if necessary, exercising your rights to further purpose or repurpose the land.
Why It Matters
Land management provides the framework for responsible, sustainable development. Without it, companies risk delays, legal disputes, financial losses, and reputational damage. With it, they can operate transparently, meet regulatory requirements, and build trust with stakeholders.
The Bigger Picture
Land is more than a physical asset – it is a shared resource tied to cultural identity, community stability, and environmental stewardship. Good land management ensures that resource development supports – not undermines these values.
In mining and beyond, the message is clear: responsible land management is the cornerstone of sustainable growth.
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