Section 4 in The Mineral Conservation And Development Rules, 1988
4. Scheme of prospecting.
(1)Every holder of a prospecting license shall submit to [the Controller General and the Regional Controller or the authorised officer] [ Substituted by G.S.R. 227(E), dated 22.4.1991 (w.e.f. 22.4.1991).] within a period of 60 days from the date of execution of the prospecting license, a scheme of prospecting indicating the manner in which he proposes to carry out the prospecting operations, in the area covered by the license and in particular-(a)particulars of the area;(b)the scale of the plan and the area of geological mapping;(c)the number of pits, trenches, and bore holes which he proposes to put in the area;(d)the particulars of the machines to be used;(e)the details of exploratory mining [if any, proposed] [ Inserted by G.S.R. 55(E), dated 17.1.2000 (w.e.f. 18.1.2000).] to be undertaken;(f)the number of samples proposed to be drawn and analysed;(g)the beneficiation studies proposed to be undertaken; and(h)any other matter relevant for the preparation of a scheme of prospecting, as directed by the Controller General or the authorised officer from time to time by a general or specific order.(2)Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1) a scheme of prospecting shall include-(a)baseline information of prevailing environmental conditions before the beginning of the prospecting operations;(b)[steps proposed to be taken for protection of environment which will include] [ Substituted by G.S.R. 55(E), dated 17.1.2000 (w.e.f. 18.1.2000).] prevention and control of air and water pollution, progressive reclamation and rehabilitation of the land disturbed by the prospecting operations, a scheme for the plantation of trees, and such other measures, as may be directed from time to time by the Controller General or the authorised officer for minimising the adverse effect of prospecting operations on the environment.(3)The prospecting scheme under sub-rule (1) shall be prepared by a recognised person or a geologist or a mining engineer employed under clause (a) of sub-rule (1) of rule 42.
