(1)With effect from the date of vesting all such mines comprised in the estate or tenure as were in operation at the commencement of this Act and were being worked directly by the [intermediary] [Substituted by Act 20 of 1954.] shall, notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, be deemed to have been leased by the State Government to the [intermediary and he] [Substituted by Act 20 of 1954.] shall be entitled to retain possession of those mines as a lessee thereof.
