(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for regulating the grant of 1 [reconnaissance permits, prospecting licences and mining leases] in respect of minerals and for purposes connected therewith.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-
(a) the person by whom, and the manner in which, applications for 1 [reconnaissance permits, prospecting licences or mining leases] in respect of land in which the minerals vest in the Government may be made and the fees to be paid therefor;
(b) the time within which, and the form in which, acknowledgement of the receipt of any such application may be sent;
(c) the matters which may be considered where applications in respect of the same land are received on the same day;
(d) 2[ The terms and conditions of auction by competitive bidding for selection of the company under section 11A;]
(e) the authority by which 1 [reconnaissance permits, prospecting licences or mining leases] in respect of land in which the minerals vest in the Government may be granted;
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Substituted by M M (R D) Amendment Act, 1999, vide G.O.I. Ext. Part II, Section 1, No. 51, dated 20.12.99 (No. 38 of 1999).
2 Inserted by MMDR Amendment Act, 2010 vide G.O.I Ext. Part II, Section-I No.43 dated 9.9.2010 (No.34 of 2010).
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(f) the procedure for obtaining 1 [a reconnaissance permit, a prospecting licence or a mining lease] in respect of any land in which the minerals vest in a person other than the Government and the terms on which, and the conditions subject to which, such 2 [a permit, licence or lease] may be granted or renewed;
(g) the terms on which, and the conditions subject to which, any other 3 [reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease] may be granted or renewed;
(h) the facilities to be afforded by holders of mining leases to persons deputed by the Government for the purpose of undertaking research or training in matters relating to mining operations;
(i) the fixing and collection of fees for 4 [reconnaissance permits, prospecting licences or mining leases], surface rent, security deposit, fines, other fees or charges and the time within which and the manner in which the dead rent or royalty shall be payable;
(j) the manner in which rights of third parties may be protected (whether by payment of compensation or otherwise) in cases where any such party may be prejudicially affected by reason of any 5 [reconnaissance, prospecting or mining operations];
(k) the grouping of associated minerals for the purposes of section 6;
(l) the manner in which, and the conditions subject to which, 1 [a reconnaissance permit, a prospecting licence or a mining lease] may be transferred;
(m) the construction, maintenance and use of roads, power transmission lines, tramways, railways, aerial ropeways, pipelines and the making of passages for water for mining purposes on any land comprised in a mining lease;
(n) the form of registers to be maintained under this Act;
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 Substituted by M M (R D) Amendment Act, 1999, vide G.O.I. Ext. Part II, Section 1, No. 51, dated 20.12.99 (No. 38 of 1999).
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
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(o) (omitted);
(p) the reports and statements to be submitted by holders of 1 [reconnaissance permits or prospecting licences] or owners of mines and the authority to which such reports and statements shall be submitted;
(q) the period within which applications for revision of any order passed by a State Government or other authority in exercise of any power conferred by or under this Act, may be made, the fees to be paid therefor and the documents which shall accompany such applications and the manner in which such applications shall be disposed of;
(qq) the manner in which rehabilitation of flora and other vegetation, such as trees, shrubs and the like destroyed by reason of any prospecting or mining operations shall be made in the same area or in any other area selected by the Central Government (whether by way of reimbursement of the cost of rehabilitation or otherwise) by the person holding the prospecting licence or mining lease; and
(r) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed under this Act.
Power of Central Government to make rules for the grant of prospecting licences or mining leases in respect of territorial waters or continental shelf of India.