Accreditation of
Exploration Agencies (AEA)
NABET accredits exploration agencies across India, ensuring reliable geological exploration, standardized reporting, and compliance with Ministry of Mines regulations.
Accreditation of Exploration Agencies in Mineral Sector (AEA)
The Accreditation of Exploration Agencies (AEA) Scheme, approved by the Ministry of Mines, is operated by National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET) under the Quality Council of India. The scheme accredits mineral exploration agencies based on their technical expertise, qualified manpower, infrastructure, and quality systems to ensure reliable geological exploration, standardized reporting, and professional practices supporting transparent and scientific mineral resource assessment in India.
Benefits
Credibility and professional recognition of consultant organizations and the team
Technical competence with established quality standards for coal sector
Enables eligibility for undertaking consultancy assignments related to coal mining projects and associated regulatory submissions.
Strengthens confidence among project proponents, regulatory authorities, and stakeholders regarding the quality and reliability of consultancy services.
Promotes systematic, transparent, and quality-driven practices in coal sector consultancy services.
Facilitates continual improvement in technical expertise, documentation systems, and project management practices.
Encourages engagement of qualified and experienced experts for coal sector assignments and studies.
Promotes accountability, ethical practices, and professional integrity in consultancy services.
Visibility and recognition through QCI-NABET platforms and publications.
Accredited Exploration Agencies
FAQs
What is accreditation?
Accreditation is a process of verifying the capability of an organization against a set of criteria to provide a service or product through third-party verification.
Is Accreditation by NABET for AEA Consultants Organization mandatory?
Yes. Ministry of Mines mandated QCI-NABET for accreditation of exploration agencies via notification N. M.VI-16/15/2021-MinesVI dated 12th August, 2021.
What is the association between NABET and QCI?
What is the purpose of accreditation
With the introduction of private exploration agencies in the mineral sector, the Government of India allows Private Sector Participation for development of exploration of mineral blocks through revenue sharing mechanism.
Through this accreditation scheme QCI_NABET will create a pool of the Exploration Agencies for undertaking exploration and preparations of Geological Report (GR) in accordance with the rules/ guidelines prescribed/ specified under the MMDR Act, MEMC Rules 2015 and amendments thereafter.
What are the benefits of accreditation?
- Publicity through QCI-NABET
- Notification under Ministry of Mines
- Gets eligible to take up government funded exploration projects
- Private explorers can participate in auctioning of mineral blocks
- Increased opportunities for empanelment with government bodies & PSUs
Who can apply for NABET accreditation
Only registered organizations, such as public, private, partnership, proprietary firms, bodies registered under Society Act, Research Institutes and the. All requirements of the Scheme as mentioned in this document are to be complied with for an organization to get accredited.
How can a consultant organization not having earlier experience of preparing Geological report under its name enter the business and apply for accreditation?
The organization needs to have people who have adequate experience of exploration in the mineral sector as defined in the Scheme, for other consultants.
How has the Accreditation Scheme been developed?
QCI-NABET has launched the accreditation of exploration agencies via notification N. M.VI-16/15/2021-MinesVI dated 12th August, 2021.
The Scheme undergoes routine review and revisions based on the feedback from the organizations, assessment outcome, and expert advice in specific fields.
Can we suggest changes in the Accreditation Scheme?
Yes. There is provision of sending suggestions to NABET secretariat.
For more FAQs on the AEA Accreditation Scheme, refer to the detailed FAQ document available on this page. Here.