Section 20, The Mines and Minerals Act, 2009

(1) Information obtained under this Act shall not bedisclosed to any person who is not an official engaged in the administration of this Act or member of the Minerals Advisory Board without the prior written authorization of the licence holder except to the extent necessary- (a) for or in connection with the administration of this Act; (b) for or in connection with the preparation of statistics by or on behalf of Government; or (c) for the purpose of any legal proceedings. (2) An authorized officer or Board member of the Minerals Advisory Board shall not for the purpose of his personal gain, use information disclosed under this Act that comes to his attention in the course of, or by reason of his employment or membership. (3) Any person, authorized official, or member of the Minerals Advisory Board who contravenes the provisions of subsections (1) or (2) commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction- (a) in the case of an individual to a fine not less than two thousand United States Dollars, or its equivalent in leones or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both such fine and imprisonment; and (b) in the case of a body corporate, to a fine not less than ten thousand United States Dollars, or its equivalent in leones. (4) An authorised officer shall ensure that the security of an unpatented process or a process upon which research work is being carried out by the holder of mineral right is not endangered or compromised as a result of an inspection by the authorised officer. PART IV–ACQUISITION OF MINERAL RIGHTS