Mines and Minerals Act, 1931

Preliminary consideration of applications and reference to and report by the Board.

22.—(1) On receipt of an application under the next foregoing section the Minister shall, but not until the expiry of three weeks after the receipt thereof consider whether a prima facie case has been made out for the grant of the right applied for therein.

(2) For the purpose of such consideration the Minister shall consider any representations made to him in relation to such application and may make such inquiries and communicate with such persons as he may think fit.

(3) Upon such consideration the Minister shall, unless he is of opinion that a prima facie case has not been made out for the grant of the right the subject of such application, refer such application to the Board.

(4) The Board shall consider every application referred to it by the Minister under this section and shall report to the said Minister on such application.

(5) Every report by the Board under this section shall be in the prescribed form and shall contain the prescribed particulars and such report shall also contain such matters (if any) as are required by this Part of this Act to be included in such report.