Mines Law 1994 (Law N. 8/94).

The objectives of this Law include: (a) to implement the Mineral Resources Policy of the Government; (b) to fulfil the domestic requirements and to increase export by (c) producing more mineral products; (d) to promote development of local and foreign investment in respect of mineral resources; (e) to supervise, scrutinize and approve applications submitted by person or organization desirous of conducting mineral prospecting, exploration or production; (f) to carry out for the development of , conservation, utilization and research works of mineral resources; (g) to protect the environmental conservation works that may have detrimental effects due to mining operation.
The Ministry of Mines shall determine the classification of large scale production, small scale production or subsistence production. A person or organization, desirous of carrying out any of the following operations shall apply to the s the Ministry of Mines for obtaining a permit : (a) prospecting, exploration, large scale production or small scale production of gemstone; (b) prospecting, exploration, large scale production or small scale production or metallic mineral; (c) large scale production of industrial minerals; (d) large scale production of stones. The Law further makes provisions for: the duties of the holder of permit, right of utilization of land and water for mineral production, royalty, designation of mineral reserve area and gemstone tract, supervision and inspection, offences and penalties, etc.