sou · GOB389d1 · 2001-01-01 00:00:00 — However, it is not possible to permit individual landowners to completely prevent explo- ration work at the property without weighty reasons. If it is not possible to reach agreement, a balance must be struck between the interest of the prospector to carry out a functional exploration and the reasons that can be advanced against the exploration taking place. If it is not possible to reach an agreement, the Mining Inspector shall consider the matter. The work may not be carried out unless the latter gives special permission. Compensation for the right to make use of the property in the event of encroaching exploratory works At present, the landowner receives compensation for damage and en- croachment that the exploration work entails at the property. However, no compensation is paid for the prospector making use of the property for exploration work. However, the prospectors often pay some excess com- pensation to landowners and others affected already today. en- croaching exploration work can, however, cause inconvenience which is not compensated for according to present provisions. In addition, it seems reasonable that those who make their property available for a commercial activity should receive some compensation for this. In future, the land- owner shall according to the recommendation also receive compensation therefore for his making the property available for prospecting when en- croaching exploration work is involved. The right to make use of land to erect is to be abolished The holder of an exploration permit has at present the right to make use of land to erect . These measures appear as encroaching for the owner of the property. The provision has existed in the legisla- tion for a long time. It has emerged that there is scarcely any need to erect in conjunction with exploration work nowadays. The right to erect by virtue of an exploration permit should therefore be abolished. Limitation of the right to carry out exploratory work closer than 200 metres to residential properties, etc. According to the present provisions, exploration work may not take place without the permission of the Mining Inspector within an area closer than 100 metres from a plot with a where someone lives for the greater part of the year. Thus, only permanent and not, for instance, holiday are protected. Residents in holiday can experi- ence exploration work as an equally great inconvenience as others af- According to the recommendation, the restriction on the right to carry out exploration work shall apply to all residential . Since the extent of a plot can be unclear, the provision should instead apply within an area of 200 metres from the inhabited in question. The rules of the Act on limitations in the right to carry out examination work are also unclear in other respects. According to the rec- ommendation, they are to be made exact so as to make evident the area that is referred to. Secrecy is to be abolished for the examination result According to section 58 of the annex to the Secrecy Ordinance (1980:657), the examination result presented pursuant to Chapter 14, sec- tion 3, of the Act is declared secret for at most four years. As reasons for this has been given that the person who has carried out the explorations has an interest in having a sole right to dispose of the results for a period and that a balance is to be struck between this interest and the public interest for the results to be generally available. The geological knowledge that has emerged through the exploration work is important for future exploration work in the area. If the results show that future explorations are not meaningful, this should be published as soon as possible. This recommendation means therefore that secrecy is abolished for the results. The position of the property owner during mining opera- tions The landowners right to compensation when the property is made use of for mining operations. According to present provisions, the person who has an exploitation con- cession is obliged to compensate the owner of the property for damage and encroachment. No compensation is paid for the that are ex- tracted. In Swedish law, the general rule is that a landowner owns everything on a property without any limitation in respect of depth. Unlike the situa- tion in many other countries, ore in has not either been declared as state property. Neither does the state make any claim to civil law right of ownership of the ore. It does not either appear reasonable according to Swedish law that ore should be property without an owner. It is noted in the report therefore that the landowner must be considered as also being the owner of the concession that exists at the property. However, this cannot be used to justify that the landowner should have sole right to extract ore on his property or prevent others from doing so. Through the Act, the public has a right to determine who shall have a permit for exploitation. This circumstance can be motivated by the important public interest in a functioning mining industry. If a landowner could freely determine the conditions for mining operations on his properties or veto such activity, this would in all probability lead to mining operations no longer being possible in . Another issue is the right to compensation that the landowners are to have during mining operations. As an argument for the landowner not re- ceiving any compensation for ore extracted at his property, it has been argued that the is of no value to the landowner. However, the fact that the landowner cannot demand compensation for the ore is only a con- sequence of the provisions of the Act and the argument is thus tautological. In general, compensation is payable when a person is obliged to surrender property to another, particularly if commercial activity is in- volved and it is not usually a requirement that the landowner should have been personally with regard to localising or extracting other natural assets, for instance, an attractive type of granite, for the landowner to re- ceive compensation. If the landowner receives some compensation for the value of the , this can also counteract negative consequences on property prices within the areas affected by the exploration permit. Through the proposed amendment to the law, the landowner shall re- ceive compensation from the licence holder for the claimed on his property. This payment is to take the form of a mine fee which is linked to the value of the extracted and constitutes two per thousand of the value of the ore. The fee is to be shared between the owners of the proper- ties that are within the concession area or on which land has been desig- nated for extraction. to compensation and redemption of property in the case of un- used extraction concessions An extraction concession need not immediately lead to mining operations starting. The concession is valid for 25 years. The concession holder can wait for a longer or shorter period before he requests that land be desig- nated for extraction and starts operations. It may also be the case that ex- ploitation never starts, e.g. for financial reasons. In such cases, the land- owner can live in uncertainty with regard to what is going to happen to the property for a long time. This can entail problems for the long-term planning of property maintenance that can have a negative effect on the value of the property. It can also be called in to question whether the pres- ent arrangement where a permit to dispose of anothers property in future is valid for such a long period as 25 years without any possibility of re- view and without any payment being made, is compatible with the protection of property in article 1 of the supplementary protocol (20 1952) of Convention on Protection of Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. According to the investigators recommendations, compensation shall be paid to the landowner for the inconvenience it entails for the property to be subject to an unused exploitation concession. Furthermore, the land- owner shall have the right to request that the property or the part of the property is purchased if a land appropriation is not requested within ten years from the notification of the exploitation concession. The protection for valuable natural and cultural environ- ments during prospecting The county administrative board is to be given the opportunity to make a statement on all applications for exploration permits and af- fected municipalities are informed of the application. The consideration of applications for exploration permits now takes place normally without the affected county administrative boards and munici- palities being notified. The decision is first sent to these authorities when the permit has been granted. In the case of applications relating to oil, gas and , however, a statement shall be obtained from the county administrative board. If the county administrative board receives notification of the planned search at an earlier stage and is given the opportunity of inspect- ing the effects that this can have on the natural and cultural environment and how the prospector intends to prevent damage to these, the risk for damage will be further reduced. In its statement, the county administrative board can furthermore also provide information on natural and cultural environments that are important to protect and other conflicting interests to the extent that the applicant has not referred to these. According to the recommendation, all applications for exploration permits are to be sent to the county administrative board to enable it to make a statement. Affected municipalities are also to be informed about the application and can then submit points of view to the Mining Inspector. Planning and Act, the municipality has a dominating influence over the use of land and water areas and is able to control and affect whether and how any mining operations are to take place. However, it is also important that municipalities are also informed at an early stage on the planned exploration works. The application for an exploration permit shall contain a descrip- tion of the exploration works and their impact on the environment The inclusion in the application of a description of the exploration works and their impact on the environment ensures that the permit-holder will take into consideration in advance the risks for damage to natural and cultural environment and comply with his obligation, according to Chapter 2, section 2 of the Environmental Code, to obtain the requisite knowledge. This description also serves as a basis for the inspection by the mining authorities and county administrative board. If there are special reasons, for instance due to particularly valuable natural and cultural environments within the exploration area, the Mining Inspector is given the opportunity of requiring a more detailed plan of these. The suitability of the applicant is to be considered when considering examination permits When considering applications for exploration permits for oil, gas and , the Mining Inspector shall according to existing provisions consider whether the applicant is suitable to carry out the examination work. If a permit holder shows insufficient willingness or ability to com- ply with the laws and provisions that apply to protect the environment, this should be taken into consideration if he applies for a new exploration permit. A consideration of suitability with regard to the applicants ability to carry out the work without damage being caused to the natural and cul- tural environment shall according to the recommendation therefore be included in all forms of exploration permit. A prospector who has previ- ously displayed lack of consideration accordingly risks being refused an exploration permit. A general provision on consideration to protect public interests is to be introduced in the Act. According to Chapter 3, section 3, of the Act, exploration works shall be carried out so that the least damage and encroachment is caused. This provision aims particularly at damage and encroachment that can affect the landholder. There is no general provision on consideration to protect the environment, however. According to the recommendation, the provision shall be amended so that it is clarified that exploration work is to be carried out so that the least damage and encroachment is caused to the natural and cultural environ- ment. Conditions in support of public interests According to the existing provisions, the Mining Inspector cannot attach conditions to an exploration permit, unless they refer to oil, gas or dia- monds. According to the recommendation, the Mining Inspector shall in the exploration permit prescribe the conditions that are needed to support public interests. Such conditions can be particularly relevant if the appli- cation includes natural and cultural environments that are particularly im- portant to protect. The conditions may refer to limitations to the right to carry out exploration work, e.g. with regard the time and place these takes place, or restrictions in the right to or stay at certain places. The county administrative boards statement on the application may give spe- cial reason for the Mining Inspector to notify conditions. Review of the rules of the Environmental Code on the application for consultation in measures that can damage the cultural environment According to Chapter 12, section 6, of the Environmental Code, the person who intends to undertake measures or engage in activity that can signifi- cantly affect the natural environment, is obliged to make a notification for consultation. There is no corresponding obligation according to the word- ing of the provision for measures that can affect the cultural environment which appears to be a deficiency. The attention of has therefore been drawn to this issue. Recommendations for amendments to the law in point form The position of the landowners and usufructuaries during prospecting It shall be clarified in the Act what prospecting measures may be undertaken on another persons property without an exploration permit. Landowners and other interested parties shall be notified about all ap- plications for exploration permits so that they can submit points of view. Encroaching exploration works shall be preceded by negotiations with the landowner and other affected interested parties. An agreement is normally required to carry out work that involves use of vehicle-borne equipment off road, road construction, tree felling or the use of explo- sives. In the event of encroaching exploration work, the permit-holder shall – in addition to compensation for damage and encroachment – also pay compensation for making use of the property for exploration work. Inspector shall notify the conditions that are needed to protect the rights of the individual in all forms of exploration work. The landowners shall be notified when the exploration permit ceases to be valid for their property. The right to carry out exploration work is to be restricted closer than 200 metres to all forms of residential . Restrictions in the right to carry out exploration work shall also be made specific otherwise. The right for the permit-holder to make use of land to erect is to be abolished. The position of the landowner during mining operations During mining operations, the landowner shall receive compensation for the that is made use of from their property. Payment shall be made in the form of a mine fee, which is to amount to two per thousand of the value of the that the concession holder receives. The fee shall be shared between the owners of the properties on which the is extracted and the owners of the properties that are di- rectly affected by the activity in relation to the size of the properties. Owners of properties that are affected by unutilised exploration con- cessions shall have the right to compensation for the inconvenience this entails. If the concession holder has not requested a designation of land within ten years, the landowners shall have the right to request that the af- fected properties be purchased. Protection for valuable environments during prospecting The county administrative board shall be given the opportunity to make a statement on all applications for exploration permits and the affected municipalities shall be informed about the application. A description of exploration works and their environmental impact shall be enclosed with applications for exploration permits. Inspector shall be able to demand that the licence-holder make a de- tailed plan. The suitability of the applicant shall be taken into consideration when considering exploration permits The conditions that are needed to protect public interests shall be noti- fied in all forms of exploration permits. The provisions of the Environmental Code on the obligation to con- sultation in measures that can damage the cultural environment should be reviewed. 1Förslag till lag om ändring i mine- rallagen (1991:45) Härigenom föreskrivs i fråga om minerallagen (1991:45) dels att 17 kap. 2 § skall upphöra att gälla, dels att nuvarande 7 kap. 4 § och 5 § skall betecknas 7 kap. 7 § och 8 §, dels att det i lagen skall införas två nya paragrafer, 1 kap. 3 a § och 3 kap. 3 a § samt närmast före 1 kap 3 a § en ny rubrik med följande lydelse, dels att 1 kap. 3 §, 2 kap. 2 § och 10 §, 3 kap. 3 och 5-7 §§, 5 kap. 1 §, 7 kap. 1-5 §§, 8 kap 1, 3, 6 och 9 §§, 9 kap. 1, 22-23 och 26 §, 15 kap. 4 § samt 16 kap. 1 och 5 § skall ha följande lydelse. Med undersökning avses arbete i syfte att påvisa en fyndighet av ett kon- cessionsmineral och att utröna fyndighetens sannolika ekonomiska värde och dess beskaffenhet i övrigt, i den mån sådant arbete innebär intrång i markägarens eller annan rättsinnehavares rätt. Med bearbetning avses utvinning och tillgodogörande av ett konces- sionsmineral. Med gruvavgiftsområde avses det område som omfattas av en koncession för bearbetning jämte annat område som på grund av markanvisningsbeslut enligt 9 kap. får tas i anspråk för verksamhet som hänger samman med bearbet- ning. Var och en får utan undersöknings- tillstånd söka efter i natu- ren genom att undersöka markytan, utföra mätningar på denna samt ta sådana , morän-, torv- och jordprover, som saknar värde för fastighetsägaren, om åtgärderna inte medför någon risk för skada eller olägenhet. Eftersökning är dock inte tillå- 1. på tomt eller plantering, om den sker olovligen 2. inom nationalpark eller inom område som en statlig myndighet hos regeringen har begärt skall avsättas till nationalpark, 3. i strid med föreskrifter som meddelats till skydd för natur- eller kulturreservat med stöd av 7 kap. , eller 4. på kyrkogård eller annan begravningsplats. Undersökningstillstånd skall med- delas, om 1. det finns anledning att anta att undersökning i området kan leda till fynd av koncessionsmineral och Undersökningstillstånd skall med- delas, om det finns anledning att anta att undersökning i området kan leda till fynd av koncessionsmine- ral. 2. sökanden inte uppenbarligen saknar möjlighet eller avsikt att få inte beviljas den som uppenbarligen till stånd en ändamålsenlig under- saknar möjlighet eller avsikt att få till stånd en ändamålsenlig under- sökning eller tidigare visat sig olämplig att bedriva undersök- Tillstånd att bedriva undersökning beträffande olja, gasformiga kolvä- ten eller diamant får beviljas endast den som visar att han är lämplig att bedriva sådan undersökning. Undersökningstillstånd beträffande olja, gasformiga kolväten eller di- amant skall förenas med de villkor som behövs för att skydda allmänna intressen eller enskild rätt. Undersökningstillstånd skall för- enas med de villkor som behövs för att skydda allmänna intressen eller enskild rätt. Tillståndet kan förenas med föreskrift att tillståndshavaren ställer säkerhet för ersättning enligt 7 kap. 1 § första stycket. Undersökningsarbete får bedrivas endast för att visa att sådant som omfattas av tillståndet finns inom området och för att ta närmare reda på fyndighetens storlek, beskaffenhet och brytvärdhet. Tillståndshavaren får ta mark i I den utsträckning det behövs får anspråk för att uppföra byggnader som är oundgängligen nödvändiga väg till och inom området. tillstånd av bergmästaren får han utsträckning det behövs får han också ta mark i anspråk för att byg- också ta mark i anspråk för att ga nödvändig väg till området. bygga väg inom området eller an- Arbetet skall utföras så att vända väg till och inom området. minsta skada och intrång vållas på Efter tillstånd av bergmästaren får annans egendom eller på natur- han också ta mark i anspråk för att bygga nödvändig väg till området. Arbetet skall utföras så, att minsta skada och intrång vållas. Undersökningsarbete med fordons- buren utrustning i terrängen på fastigheten samt byggande av väg, trädfällning och sprängning får endast ske efter skriftlig överens- kommelse med fastighetsägaren och andra berörda sakägare eller, om överenskommelse inte kan träffas, efter särskilt tillstånd av bergmäs- taren. Bergmästaren skall lämna till- stånd enligt första stycket om åt- gärderna är nödvändiga för en än- damålsenlig undersökning och inte medför så stora olägenheter för fastighetsägaren eller annan sa- kägare eller för miljön att detta överväger tillståndshavarens in- tresse av att få utföra arbetena. Bergmästaren får förena till- ståndet med de villkor som behövs för att förebygga eller begränsa olägenheterna samt förordna att beslut om tillstånd till undersök- ningsarbete skall gälla utan hinder av att det inte vunnit laga kraft Beträffande överenskommelse enligt andra stycket gäller 7 kap. jordabalken.. Minst undersökningsarbetet påbörjas skall tillståndshava- ren underrätta bergmästaren, ägaren till den mark där arbetet skall bedri- vas och innehavarna av nyttjanderätt eller servitut om när arbetet skall påbörjas. Kan arbetena antas komma att beröra annan särskild rätt, skall även innehavaren av denna underrättas. Avser tillståndshavaren att utfö- ra sådana åtgärder som anges i 3 a § skall han delge fastighetsägaren och andra berörda sakägare ett förslag till överenskommelse om kommelse inte träffats inom två veckor därefter, får tillståndshava- ren begära bergmästarens tillstånd till de i förslaget till överenskom- Underrättelser till andra än bergmästaren skall delges. Underrättelse till innehavare av renskötselrätt får delges den sameby som innehavarna tillhör. Innan arbetet påbörjas skall till- Innan arbetet påbörjas skall till- ståndshavaren ställa säkerhet för ståndshavaren ställa den säkerhet ersättning enligt 7 kap. 1 §, om inte för ersättning som föreskrivits i den som är berättigad till ersätt- ning medger annat. Undersökningsarbete får inte äga rum inom nationalpark eller område som en statlig myndighet hos regeringen har begärt skall avsättas till national- park eller i strid med föreskrifter som har meddelats för natur- eller kultur- reservat med stöd av 7 kap. . Undersökningsarbete får inte heller, utan medgivande av , 1. befästningsområde och sådant 1. från skydds- område utanför detta som regering- (1990:217) om skydd för samhälls- m. m. sådant område utanför detta som 2.kyrkogård och annan begravningsplats, 3.område som avses i 4 kap. 5 § . Ett medgivande enligt andra stycket 3 skall förenas med de villkor som är nödvändiga för att förhindra att påtaglig skada uppkommer för områdets natur- och kulturvärden. får även i övrigt förena ett medgi- vande enligt andra stycket med villkor. Undersökningsarbete får inte utan medgivande av bergmästaren äga rum inom 1. område inom trettio meter från allmän väg eller sådan vägsträckning enligt fastställd arbetsplan, trettio meter från järnväg eller kanal som är upplåten för allmän trafik eller trettio meter från allmän flygplats, 2. område inom 2. område inom från tomt med byggnad där någon är bosatt under övervägande del av 3. område inom