GRANITE CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT RULES, 1999

CHAPTER II

PROSPECTING AND MINING OF GRANITE

4. Prospecting to precede mining operations.- No lease shall be granted by the State Government unless it is satisfied that there is evidence to show that the area for which the lease is applied for has been prospected earlier for granite or the existence of granite therein has been established otherwise.

5. Period for which prospecting licence may be granted or renewed.- The period for which a prospecting licence may be granted shall not exceed two years.

6. Period for which leases may be granted or renewed.- (1) The maximum period for which a lease may be granted shall not exceed thirty years.

Provided that the minimum period for which any such lease may be granted shall not be less than twenty years.

(2) A lease may be renewed for a period not exceeding twenty years.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (2), if the State Government is of the opinion that in the interest of development of granite it is necessary to do so, it may, for reasons to be recorded, authorise the renewal of a lease for a further period or periods not exceeding twenty years in each case.

7. Minimum and maximum area for grant of a mining lease.- (1) The minimum area that may be granted or renewed under a lease for ensuring mining activities to optimum depth shall not be less than one hectare;

(2) The maximum area that may be granted under a mining lease shall not exceed fifty hectares.

Provided that the State Government, if it is satisfied on the basis of proposed production level, geological or topographical conditions, may for the reasons to be recorded in writing, grant or renew a lease over an area more than the maximum area or less than the minimum area specified under this rule.