Section 177, The Mines and Minerals Act, 2009

(1) With regards to mining operations for preciousminerals the Minister may make regulations- (a) empowering the holder of the mineral right right to demarcate by a fence, or by pillars of posts, any one or more portions of the area included in his mineral right not exceeding in each case a prescribed size, but not including any dwelling without the occupier’s consent, and to keep such portion or portions so demarcated while mining operations for the precious minerals are in progress on it; (b) empowering the holder of the mineral right who has complied with the provisions of any regulations made under paragraph (a) to prohibit and prevent any persons, other than those absolutely or conditionally exempted, from entering such demarcated portions; (c) prohibiting any persons, other than those absolutely or conditionally exempted, from entering any town, village or camp which is situated within the area of a mining right and the whole or the greater part having been built or set up by the holder of the mineral right; and Power of Minister to make special regulations with regards to precious 134 135 (d) conferring on such persons as may be specified in it the power of searching persons, buildings and articles within such demarcated portions and such towns, villages and camps. (2) Regulations made under this section may apply to any particular mineral right or to any particular town, village or camp. PART XXI–REPEAL AND SAVINGS