Minerals Development Act, 1979

Exception for existing development.

14.—(1) Subject to section 15 (5), section 12 shall not apply to minerals of any description in any land if, at the 15th day of December, 1978, a person was lawfully working or developing a mine of such minerals.

(2) For the purpose of subsection (1) a person shall be deemed to be developing a mine if, on an application under section 15, he proves that before the date mentioned in that subsection he had decided to do so in accordance with plans based upon a comprehensive study indicating a reasonable prospect of commercial development and that his decision stood at the passing of this Act.