Section 51, The Mines and Minerals Act, 2009

(1) Subject to this Act and any condition of his mineralright, the holder of a mineral right may surrender the area covered by his mineral right or part of it by- (a) giving the Minister, not less than ninety calendar days notice of his intention to surrender the whole or part of the area concerned; and (b) complying with such conditions as may be prescribed or stated in the mineral right. (2) Upon compliance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1), the Minister shall issue a certificate of surrender to the holder. (3) If the application for a certificate of surrender is in respect of part only of the area covered by the mineral right, the holder shall- (a) in his application- (i) provide a reliable plan in a form and substance acceptable to the Minister, of the area to be relinquished; and (ii) submit detailed technical reports as prescribed containing all information, results, interpretation and data relating to the surrendered area from the commencement of the mineral right; (b) if the application is approved, demarcate the remaining area in the prescribed manner. (4) No surrender of any area covered by a mineral right shall be effective until the Minister has issued a certificate of surrender in respect of that area upon payment of the prescribed fee by the holder. (5) A surrender of an area covered by a mineral right shall be without prejudice to any liabilities or obligations incurred by the holder in relation to the area surrendered prior to the date of surrender. (6) On the issue of a certificate of surrender the Minister shall- 34 35 Confidential reports. Public access. Withdrawal of for mineral Surrender of area covered by mineral right. (a) if the surrender is in relation to the whole area covered by a mineral right, cancel such right; or (b) if the surrender is in relation to part only of the area covered by a mineral right, amend the mineral right accordingly.