Maximum area for which a prospecting licence or mining lease may be granted

(1) No person shall acquire in respect of any mineral or prescribed group of associated minerals in a State –

(a) one or more prospecting licences covering a total area of more than twenty-five square kilometres; or

(aa) one or more reconnaissance permit covering a total area of ten thousand square kilometres:

Provided that the area granted under a single reconnaissance permit shall not exceed five thousand square kilometres; or

(b) one or more mining leases covering a total area of more than ten square kilometres;

Provided that if the Central Government is of opinion that in the interests of the development of any mineral, it is necessary so to do, it may, for reasons to be recorded by it, in writing, permit any person to acquire one or more prospecting licences or mining leases covering an area in excess of the aforesaid total area;

(c) any reconnaissance permit, mining lease or prospecting licence in respect of any area which is not compact or contiguous:

Provided that if the State Government is of opinion that in the interests of the development of any mineral, it is necessary so to do, it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, permit any person to acquire a reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease in relation to any area which is not compact or contiguous.

(2) For the purposes of this section, a person acquiring by, or in the name of, another person a reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease which is intended for himself shall be deemed to be acquiring it himself.

(3) For the purposes of determining the total area referred to in sub-section(1), the area held under a reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease by...