Section 17:
Special powers of Central Government to undertake prospecting or mining operations in certain lands.
(1) The provisions of this section shall apply 1*** in respect of land in which the
minerals vest in the Government of a State 2[or any other person].
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the Central Government, after consultation with
the State Government, may undertakes
3[mineral concession] in any area not already held under any
3[mineral concession] and where it proposes to do so, it shall, by notification in the Official Gazette--
(a) specify the boundaries of such area;
(b) state whether 4[reconnaissance, prospecting or mining operations] will be carried out in the
area; and
(c) specify the mineral or minerals in respect of which such operations will be carried out.
(3) Where, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2), the Central Government
undertakes 4[reconnaissance, prospecting or mining operations] in any area, the Central Government
shall be liable to pay 5[reconnaissance permit fee or prospecting fee] royalty, surface rent or dead rent, as
the case may be, at the same rate at which it would have been payable under this Act, if such
4[reconnaissance, prospecting or mining operations] had been undertaken by a private person under a
3[mineral concession].
(4) The Central Government, with a view to enabling it to exercise the powers conferred on it by
sub-section (2) may, after consultation with the State Government, by notification in the Official
Gazette, declare that no 3[mineral concession] shall be granted in respect of any land specified in the
notification.
Notes:
1. The word "only" omitted by Act 56 of 1972, s. 10 (w.e.f. 12-9-1972).
2. Ins. by s. 10, ibid. (w.e.f. 12-9-1972).
3. Subs. by Act 16 of 2021, s. 2, "reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease" (w.e.f. 28-3-2021).4. Subs. by Act 38 of 1999, s. 15, for "prospecting or mining operations" (w.e.f. 18-12-1999).
5. Subs. by s. 15, ibid., for "prospecting fee" (w.e.f. 18-12-1999).