Periods for reconnaissance permits or prospecting licences

7. [(1) The period for which [a reconnaissance permit or prospecting licence] may be granted shall not exceed three years.

(2) A prospecting licence shall, if the State Government is satisfied that a longer period is required to enable the licensee to complete prospecting operations be renewed for such period or periods as that Government may specify:

Provided that the total period for which a prospecting licence is granted does not exceed five years;

Provided further that no prospecting licence granted in respect of [a mineral included in Part A and Part B to] the First Schedule shall be renewed except with the previous approval of the Central Government.]

Periods for which mining leases may be granted or renewed

8. [ (1)The maximum period for which a mining lease may be granted shall not exceed thirty years:

Provided that the minimum period for which any such mining lease may be granted shall not be less than twenty years;]

(2) A mining lease may be renewed for [a period not exceeding twenty years]:

[(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), if the State Government is of opinion that in the interests of mineral development it is necessary so to do, it may, for reasons to be recorded, authorise the renewal of a mining lease in respect of minerals not specified in Part A and Part B of the First Schedule for a further period or periods not exceeding twenty years in each case.