A former NSW Labor minister has been ordered to appear in court over allegations of dodgy mining deals.

Former New South Wales Resources Minister Ian Macdonald prosecuted for two offences of misconduct in public office.

The charges come after an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) inquiry into the awarding of the Doyles Creek mining licence.

ICAC's Operation Acacia investigated Macdonald's decisions on the mining licence in 2008.

Commissioners heard Mr Macdonald handed the licence to then-chairman of Doyles Creek Mining John Maitland with no competitive tender process and against the advice of his own department.

Speakers at the inquiry said he “gifted” the license to Mr Maitland.

The corruption watchdog has recommended that both men be charged.

Now, a court attendance notice has been served on Mr Macdonald, with the DPP advising that the former resource minister should be prosecuted for two offences, while a similar notice has been served on Mr Maitland for accessory charges.

The matters will have their first mention at the Downing Centre Local Court on December 18.