The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (DWEE) administers the Mineral Exploration program. The Mineral Exploration program is a separate program from DWEE’s Underground Injection Control (UIC) program and regulates under authority of different titles.

The Mineral Exploration program reviews and issues permits, conducts inspections, and performs compliance reviews for holes drilled, driven, bored, or dug for the specific purpose of mineral exploration. All mineral exploration permits are geared toward the protection of groundwater.