MINING LAWS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 34, 9 August 1934, Page 15

MINING LAWS

AMENDING BILL1

INTRODUCED IN HOUSE

A Mining Amendment Bill, designed to attract overseas investors, and to bring the New Zealand mining law into line with modern conditions of development, was introduced in the House of Representatives this afternoon. The original amending Bill was circulated last session, and was not proceeded with until the interests affected had been able to make representations. As a result of those representations tho Bill brought down this afternoon varies greatly from the original amending measure.

Tho present law limits tho maximum area under a prospecting liconcc to 100 acres, but as the future of mining lies chiefly in the development of large areas utilising substantial capital, it is proposed to increase the maximum for an ordinary prospecting licence to 1000 acres, subject to safeguards preventing the locking up of large potential areas. Dredging on a largo scale in gold-bearing rivers is to bo encouraged by increasing tho maximum length of river claims from three miles to sixteen miles, and the maximum area from 75 to 600 acres.

Statutory rights arc to be given to make geological or geophysical surveys for mining purposes on any land subject to the authority of the Minister of Mines. To protect the results of the surveys the Minister of Mines will control the granting of mining rights over land where expense on sucli surveys has been incurred. The Bill also takes away from the Minister the right of veto in connection with mining leases in Otago, and places them under tho jurisdiction of tho warden as in other1 parts of tho Dominion.

Only licences for claims over thirty acres and ordinary prospecting licences for areas in excess of 100 acres will require tho Minister's consent in future. A limitation is imposed on-the conditions which may be laid down for the restoraton of agricultural and pastoral areas where mining is carried out so that the total cost of complying with them will not exceed the fotal value of tho land affected. ''

Holders of options on mining privilego areas who put down bores are to be required to furnish the result confidentially to the Mines Department.

Tho Bill was read a first time, a. second timo pro forma, and referred to tho. Mines Committee.