Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
(1) The Central Government may undertake any exploration activities for the purpose of discovering the presence of,-- (a) any mineral in or on the land including seabed, either in a natural state or in a deposit; or (b) any mineral in waste material obtained from any underground or surface working; or (c) any other material from which in its opinion prescribed substance can be obtained: Provided that any person who discovers or has reason to believe that uranium or thorium is available at any place in India shall inform the Central Government forthwith. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the working of mines and minerals in onshore or offshore areas containing uranium and thorium and decommissioning of such mines shall be carried out only by the Government, a Government company, or a corporation owned or controlled by the Government, and only under a licence and a safety authorisation: Provided that such mineral shall be of the grade that is equal to or above the threshold value as may be notified by the Central Government: Provided further that where the grade of such mineral is below the threshold value, it shall be handled and disposed of in accordance with such order as may be issued by the Central Government in respect of conservation of minerals and by the Board in respect of radiological safety. (3) Where the Central Government is of the opinion that uranium, thorium or any other prescribed substance may reasonably be isolated or extracted from the working of any mine or mineral or from treating or concentrating any material by any physical, chemical or metallurgical process, it may by order,-- (a) require such activities to be carried out under a licence and a safety authorisation; (b) impose such terms and conditions as may be deemed necessary, for carrying out the activities; or (c) prohibit carrying out of such activities. (4) Where the Central Government imposes any terms and conditions under clause (b) of sub-section (3), or orders any prohibition under clause (c) of that sub-section, it may pay compensation to the affected person in accordance with section 36. (5) All uranium or thorium mined, isolated or extracted, and any minerals, concentrates or other materials, whether mined, treated or concentrated, containing uranium or thorium in their natural state beyond such proportion as may be notified by the Central Government, shall vest in that Government and shall not be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of except with its prior permission and in accordance with such terms and conditions and such safeguards as may be specified by the Central Government. (6) Any material referred to in sub-section (5) including any tailings, reject, byproduct or residue containing uranium and thorium below the proportion notified under that sub-section which in the opinion of the Central Government does not have any foreseen use shall be treated as hazardous substance and handled in accordance with the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986.). (7) In case of non-compliance by any person with the provisions of this section or where required in the interest of national policy or public interest or public safety, the Central Government may compulsorily acquire any mineral, concentrate or substance and require such mineral, concentrate or substance to be delivered to it or to such authority as it may direct.