Minerals Development Act, 1940

“State minerals”.

5.—The following minerals and exclusive mining rights shall be State minerals for the purposes of this Act and the expression “State minerals” shall in this Act be construed accordingly, that is to say:—

(a) any minerals and any exclusive mining right which, at the date of the passing of this Act, belong to or are the property of the State or the People, and are vested (subject to any lease granted under the Act of 1931) in the State or in any Minister of State;

(b) any minerals and any exclusive mining right which, on or after the passing of this Act become, by any means, the property of or vested in the State or the People or become vested in a Minister of State, as on and from the date upon which they become such property or become so vested;

(c) without prejudice to the generality of the next preceding paragraph of this section, any minerals or any exclusive mining right which become vested in the Minister by virtue of a minerals acquisition order for the time being in force made under the provisions of Part III of this Act, for so long as such minerals or such exclusive right shall be so vested;

(d) notwithstanding anything contained in the Foreshore Act, 1933 (No. 12 of 1933), and without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, any minerals lying on or under foreshore belonging to the State within the meaning of that Act, as adapted in consequence of the enactment of the Constitution;

(e) without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a) and (b) of this section, all mines of gold and silver.