(1) Where a prospecting operation is to be undertaken by the Geological Survey of India, the Indian Bureau of Mines, the Atomic Minerals Division of the Department of Atomic Energy of the Central Government, the Directorate of Mining and Geology of any State Government (by whatever name called), or the Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited, the State Government shall issue a notification in the Official Gazette giving details of the area, and the period for which prospecting operations are to be undertaken.
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1.Substituted by G.S.R. 56 (E), dated 17.1.2000.
2.Ibid.
3.Ibid.
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(2) The State Government shall not grant any prospecting licence or mining lease to any other person for an area or a part thereof in relation to which a notification has been issued under sub-rule (1).
(3) The State Government may revoke a notification issued under sub-rule
(1), if the prospecting operations have been completed before the expiry of the period stated in the notification.