Minerals Development Act, 1979

Leases and licences.

17.—(1) Subject to section 18 the Minister may grant to any person a licence to work any State minerals, without prejudice to his power to grant a lease in respect of such minerals under Part IV of the Act of 1940.

(2) The references in Part IV of the Act of 1940 to a demise of minerals shall be construed as including the grant of a right to work minerals.

(3) The following provisions of the Act of 1940 shall apply to a licence under subsection (1)—

(a) the provisions of Part III relating to a State acquired minerals licence;

(b) section 26 (which refers to the grant of a State mining lease).

(4) A reference in section 13 of the Act of 1940 (which empowers the Minister to enter into an undertaking to grant a State mining lease) to a State mining lease shall be construed as including reference to a licence under subsection (1).

(5) The conditions attaching to a lease or licence may, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, include a condition giving the Minister the right to take a participating interest in the working of the minerals.