Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, 1985 (No. 13 of 1985).

The Act consists of 51 sections divided into 8 Parts: Preliminary (I); Petroleum Committee (II); Administration (III); Grant of rights to conduct petroleum operations (IV); Type and nature of contracts (V); Areas of operation and surface rights (VI); Government revenues (VII); General provisions (VIII).
Section 3 concerns title to petroleum to be vested in the President on behalf of the Republic. The Petroleum Committee established under section 3 shall be responsible for the formulation of policies relating to petroleum and its development in Zambia. The Minister shall be responsible for the administration of the Act and may delegate his or her functions to any public officer under section 13. The Minister shall keep a petroleum Register that contains information regarding petroleum contracts (sect. 14). No petroleum operations shall be carried out other than by the State unless persons wishing to carry out such operations have entered into a contract made with the State in accordance with sections 18 and following. The Minister may issue invitations for bids and provide for the participation of the State in petroleum operations. Section 25 specifies the content of a contract, whereas section 26 defines the obligations of contractors. Contractors shall conduct operations in conformity with conservation and work practices set out in section 32. Such practices regard also certain aspects of environmental protection. The Minister may, with the approval of the Committee, declare certain areas to be closed for all petroleum operations (sect. 33). Section 34 lists areas in which operation shall take place only with the consent of the President. Certain surface rights are granted to contractors under section 35.