Application for prospecting licence or mining lease

(1) An application for a prospecting licence or mining lease in respect of any land within the State in which minerals vest in the State Government shall be made to the State Government in the prescribed from and shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee. (2) Where an application received under Sub-section (1) there shall be sent to the applicant an acknowledgement of its receipt within the prescribed time in the prescribed form; (3) On receipt of an application under this Section, the State Government may having regard to the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder, grant or refuse to grant the licence or lease. Provided that no such refusal shall be made except after giving to the applicant a reasonable opportunity of being heard.