1[ 6. Maximum area for which mineral concession may be granted.] --2[(1) No person shall
acquire 3*** in respect of any mineral or prescribed group of associated minerals 4[in a State]--
(a) one or more prospecting licences covering a total area of more than twenty-five square kilometres; or
5[(aa) one or more reconnaissance permit covering a total area often thousand square kilometres:
Provided that the area granted under a single reconnaissance permit shall not exceed five thousand square kilometers; or]
6[(ab) one or more exploration licences covering a total area of more than five thousand square kilometres:
Provided that the area granted under a single exploration licence shall not exceed one thousand square kilometres;]
(b) one or more mining leases covering a total area of more than ten square kilometres:
7[Provided that if the Central Government is of the opinion that in the interest of the development of any mineral or industry, it is necessary so to do, it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, increase the aforesaid area limits in respect of prospecting licence or mining lease, in so far as it pertains to any particular mineral, or to any specified category of deposits of such mineral, or to any particular mineral located in any particular area.]]
8[(c) any 9[mineral concession 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 9[mineral concession] 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 10[mineral concession which is intended for himself shall be deemed to be acquiring it himself.
11[(3) For the purposes of determining the total area referred to in sub-section (1), the area held under a 10[mineral concession] by a person as a member of a co-operative society, company or other corporation or a Hindu undivided family or a partner of a firm, shall be deducted from the area referred to in subsection (1) so that the sum total of the area held by such person, under a 10[mineral concession], whether as such member or partner, or individually, may not, in any case, exceed the total area specified in subsection (1).]
(a) one or more prospecting licences covering a total area of more than twenty-five square kilometres; or
5[(aa) one or more reconnaissance permit covering a total area often thousand square kilometres:
Provided that the area granted under a single reconnaissance permit shall not exceed five thousand square kilometers; or]
6[(ab) one or more exploration licences covering a total area of more than five thousand square kilometres:
Provided that the area granted under a single exploration licence shall not exceed one thousand square kilometres;]
(b) one or more mining leases covering a total area of more than ten square kilometres:
7[Provided that if the Central Government is of the opinion that in the interest of the development of any mineral or industry, it is necessary so to do, it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, increase the aforesaid area limits in respect of prospecting licence or mining lease, in so far as it pertains to any particular mineral, or to any specified category of deposits of such mineral, or to any particular mineral located in any particular area.]]
8[(c) any 9[mineral concession 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 9[mineral concession] 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 10[mineral concession which is intended for himself shall be deemed to be acquiring it himself.
11[(3) For the purposes of determining the total area referred to in sub-section (1), the area held under a 10[mineral concession] by a person as a member of a co-operative society, company or other corporation or a Hindu undivided family or a partner of a firm, shall be deducted from the area referred to in subsection (1) so that the sum total of the area held by such person, under a 10[mineral concession], whether as such member or partner, or individually, may not, in any case, exceed the total area specified in subsection (1).]
1. Subs by Act 16 of 2023, s. 6, for the marginal headin. (w.e.f. 17-8-2023).
2. Subs. by Act 56 of 1972, s. 3, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 12-9-1972).
3. The words "in any one State" omitted by Act 37 of 1986, s. 5 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).
4. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, s. 8 (w.e.f. 18-12-1999).
5. Ins. by Act 16 of 2023, s. 6 (w.e.f. 17-8-2023).
6. Subs. by Act 10 of 2015, s. 6, for the proviso (w.e.f. 12-1-2015).
7. Subs. by Act 38 of 1999, s. 8, for clause (c) (w.e.f. 18-12-1999).
8. Subs. by Act 16 of 2023, s. 6, for "reconnaissance permit, mining lease or prospecting licence" (w.e.f. 17-8-2023).
9. Subs. by Act 16 of 2021, s. 2, "reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease" (w.e.f. 28-3-2021).
10. Ins. by Act 56 of 1972, s. 3 (w.e.f. 12-9-1972).