10BAGrant of exploration licence for minerals specified in Seventh Schedule through auction.

¹[²[10BA. Grant of exploration licence for minerals specified in Seventh Schedule through auction.--- (1) The provisions of this section shall not apply to---
(a) the areas covered under section 17A;
(b) the minerals specified in Part A of the First Schedule;
(c) the minerals specified in Part B of the First Schedule where the grade of atomic mineral is equal to or greater than such threshold value as may be notified by the Central Government from time to time;
(d) any land in respect of which the minerals do not vest in the Government.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sections 10B and 11, an exploration licence may be granted in any area by the State Government for the purpose of undertaking reconnaissance or prospecting operations or both in respect of any mineral specified in the Seventh Schedule.
(3) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, and for reasons to be recorded in writing, amend the Seventh Schedule so as to modify the entries therein with effect from such date as may be specified in the said notification.
(4) The State Government shall, after obtaining the previous approval of the Central Government, and in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government, notify the areas in which exploration licence shall be granted, subject to such terms and conditions as may be specified in the notification.
(5) The Central Government may require the State Government to notify the area for grant of exploration licence within such period as may be fixed in consultation with the State Government, and in case the State Government does not notify the area within such period, the Central Government may, after the expiry of the period so fixed, notify the area for grant of exploration licence.
(6) The State Government shall, for the purpose of granting exploration licence through auction by method of competitive bidding, including e-auction, select an applicant who fulfils the eligibility conditions as specified in this Act and grant exploration licence to such applicant.
(7) Where---
(a) the State Government has not successfully completed auction for the grant of exploration licence; or
(b) after completion of auction, the exploration licence or letter of intent for grant of exploration licence has been terminated or lapsed for any reason whatsoever, the Central Government may require the State Government to conduct and complete the auction or re-auction process, as the case may be, within such period as may be fixed in consultation with the State Government, and in cases where such auction or re-auction process is not completed within such period, the Central Government may, after the expiry of the period so fixed, conduct auction for the grant of exploration licence for such area:
Provided that upon successful completion of the auction, the Central Government shall intimate the details of the preferred bidder in the auction to the State Government and the State Government shall grant exploration licence for such area to such preferred bidder in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(8) The holder of exploration licence shall be entitled to a share of applicable amount quoted in the auction of ining leases payable by the lessee to the State Government in respect of the area granted in mining lease pursuant to the prospecting operations undertaken by the holder of such exploration licence:
Provided that the share in applicable amount payable to the holder of exploration licence by the lessee of such area shall be allowed only in respect of the minerals specified in the Seventh Schedule.
(9) The Central Government shall by rules provide for the manner of conducting auction for grant of exploration licence, including its terms and conditions, the bidding parameters for selection, share payable to the holder of exploration licence from out of the applicable amount quoted in auction of mining leases payable by the lessee of such area, the period for such payment and such other conditions as may be necessary.
(10) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 7,---
(a) the exploration licence shall be granted for a period of five years from the date of execution of the exploration licence;
(b) if, after three years from the date of execution of exploration licence, but before the date of its expiry, the holder of the exploration licence makes an application for the extension of the period of that licence, the State Government may, on being satisfied that within the period of five years, it shall not be possible for the holder of such licence to complete the reconnaissance or prospecting operations for reasons beyond his control, extend the said period to a further period not exceeding two years.
(11) After three years from the date of execution of the exploration licence, the holder of such licence may retain an area not exceeding twenty-five per cent. of the total area covered under that licence for the purpose of continuing reconnaissance or prospecting operations and shall surrender the remaining area after submitting a report to the State Government stating the reasons for retention of the area proposed to be retained by him and the boundaries of that area.
(12) The holder of the exploration licence shall, within three months of the completion of the operations for which licence has been granted, or of the date of expiry of the exploration licence, whichever is earlier, submit a geological report to the State Government explaining the result of the reconnaissance and prospecting operations, in such manner as may be prescribed.
(13) If the holder of the exploration licence fails to complete the reconnaissance and prospecting operations before expiry of the exploration licence, or fails to submit the geological report within the period specified in sub-section (12), the State Government may take such action as it deems fit, including imposition of penalty.
(14) Within six months from the date of receipt of the geological report from the holder of the exploration licence, the Central Government or the State Government shall initiate the auction process for grant of one or more separate mining leases under section 10B or section 11 or section 11D, as the case may be, in respect of the area where existence of mineral content is established and shall select the preferred bidder for grant of such mining leases within one year from the date of receipt of the geological report:
Provided that in case the preferred bidder is not selected within the period so specified, the State Government shall pay to the person who was the holder of exploration licence such amount, and in such manner, as may be prescribed.]]