RULE-24

BALOCHISTAN MINERAL RULES, 2002 BALOCHISTAN MINERAL RULES, 2002 [Gazette of Balochistan, Extraordinary, 9th March, 2002] No. S.O.(MR)4-6/2002, dated 8-1-2002.--In exercise of the powers conferred by section 2, of the Regulation of Mines and Oil-Fields and Mineral Development (Government Control) Act, 1948, (XXIV of 1948) the Government of Balochistan is pleased to make the flowing Rules:-- PART III MINERAL TITLES AND MINERAL CONCESSIONS Division-3 Exploration Licence 24. Duration of exploration licence. - (1) Subject to these Rules, an exploration Licence (a) shall be valid for such period, not exceeding three years, as may be specified in the licence and for the period of any renewal thereof; (b) may be renewed - (i) for such period, not exceeding three years as may be determined by the licensing authority and specified in the instrument of renewal; and (ii) if the conditions specified in Rule 29 (2) (c) (iii) are satisfied, for a further period, not exceeding three years, as may be determined by the licensing authority and specified in the instrument of renewal, as from the date on which the licence would have expired if an application for its renewal had not been made. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-rule (1) but subject to these Rules - (a) where an application is made by a licensee for the renewal of an exploration licence in relation to - (i) an area of land in or which constitutes the area subject to the licence; and . (ii) in respect of the mineral or group of minerals to which the licence relates, the existing licence shall not expire in relation to that area of land and that mineral or group of minerals until the application is refused, withdrawn or lapsed, whichever first occurs, or if the application is granted, until issue of the instrument of renewal; or (b) where the application is made by the holder of the exploration licence for the grant of a mineral deposit retention licence or a mining lease, as the case may be, in relation to - (i) an area of land in or which constitutes tile exploration area; and (ii) a mineral or group of minerals to which the exploration licence relates, the exploration licence shall not expire in relation to that area of land and that mineral or group of minerals until the application is refused or withdrawn or lapsed, whichever first occurs, or if the application is granted until the mineral deposit retention licence or, as the case may be, the mining lease is issued.