Mineral Development Act 1994, No. 525

This Act makes rules concerning the exploration and mining of minerals and mineral ores. It is composed of the following eight Parts: (I) Preliminary; (II) Administration; (III) Regulation of Exploration and Mining; (IV) Accident and Inquiry; (V) Enforcement, Investigation, Evidence, Offences and Penalties; (VI) Miscellaneous; (VII) Regulations; (VIII) Transitional and Saving Provisions.
As regards the institutional framework relevant to this field, the Minister shall appoint a public officer to be the Director General of Mines for the purpose of performing the functions and duties assigned to him under this Act. The Director General shall take charge of, inter alia: (a) supervision and control on the safety aspects relating to mines and to the fossicking, panning, exploration, mining, possession, movement, storage and processing of minerals and mineral ores; (b) obtaining information on and keeping records of operations pertaining to the fossicking, panning, exploration, mining, possession, movement, storage, processing, purchase and sale of mineral and mineral ores. Holders of mineral tenements as well as holders of an exploration licence, mining licence or mining lease shall transmit the relevant information to the Director and to the Director General of geological Survey as per Section 9. Before the commencement of any development work or mining within the mineral tenement area, an operational mining scheme must be submitted to the Director for approval. As prescribed by Section 13, fossicking, panning, exploration, mining and mineral processing shall be carried out in accordance with good and safe practices and such environmental standards as may be prescribed under this Act and any written law relating to environment. Water may be used in connection with mining as long as the water so used, before it leaves the mine or waste retention area in which it has been used, complies with water quality standards as may be prescribed. Where such standards have not been prescribed such water shall be reasonably free of solid matter and from chemicals and other substances deleterious to human, animal or vegetable life. In accordance with Section 19, every person who undertakes fossicking, panning, exploration or mining shall take such measures as are reasonable to prevent or minimize the erosion of the land which is the subject of the mineral tenement and the effects thereof.