Section 131, The Mines and Minerals Act, 2009

(1) In deciding whether or not to grant a mineral right,the Minister shall take into account the need to conserve the natural resources in or on the land over which the mineral right is sought, or in or on neighbouring land. (2) the Minister shall require an environmental impact assessment licence as prescribed under the Environment Protection Act as a condition for granting a small-scale mining licence or a large-scale mining licence.