Minerals Development Act, 1940

Fencing of abandoned State minerals.

32.—(1) Where the working of any State minerals has been abandoned or discontinued, whether before or after the passing of this Act, the Minister may cause the top or entrance of every shaft or outlet used in connection with such working to be kept surrounded by a structure of a permanent character sufficient to prevent accidents, and may enter on any land for the purpose of so doing.

(2) The Minister may authorise any person in writing to exercise for and on behalf of the Minister the powers conferred by the foregoing sub-section of this section on the Minister, and, whenever the Minister so authorises any person, such person (in this section referred to as an agent of the Minister) may in the name and for and on behalf of the Minister exercise such powers.

(3) If any person obstructs or interferes with an agent of the Minister in exercise of the powers conferred on such agent by virtue of the foregoing provisions of this section, such person shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds.

(4) No compensation shall be payable in respect or in consequence of the exercise of the powers conferred by or under this section on the Minister or an agent of the Minister.

(5) Nothing in this section contained shall exempt any person from any liability under any other Act or otherwise.