### Mining (General) Regulations 《礦務(一般)規例》

11. Application to dispose of or retain minerals
(1) Every holder of a prospecting licence who desires to dispose of or retain any minerals obtained in the course of prospecting shall apply in writing to the Commissioner, and shall— (L.N. 155 of 1963)
(a) state the kind and quantity of minerals in respect of which the application is made; and
(b) state the location from which each mineral was obtained; and (L.N. 155 of 1963)
(c) furnish such other information as the Commissioner may require; and
(d) pay the prescribed fee.
(2) The consent of the Commissioner to the disposal of or retention of any mineral by the holder of a prospecting licence shall be in writing and shall specify the kind and quantity of the minerals which may be disposed of or retained.

12. Duty to fill in excavations
The holder of a prospecting licence shall fill in or otherwise render secure, to the satisfaction of the Superintendent of Mines, all unproductive shafts, excavations or trenches made by him in the course of prospecting.

13. Survey
In the case of a prospecting licence, the Superintendent of Mines or a mines officer authorized by him shall make a survey in respect of the whole or part of the boundaries or may postpone such survey for such time as he may think fit.

14. Minimum expenditure on prospecting
The expenditure by the holder of a prospecting licence for prospecting alone shall be at the average rate of not less than $25 per hectare per month over each period of six months during which the licence is in force, the first such period commencing on the date of the licence and, where the licence is renewed, the second and any subsequent period as aforesaid commencing forthwith upon the expiration of the period immediately preceding it.
(L.N. 155 of 1963; L.N. 87 of 1986)

15. Suspension or reduction of minimum expenditure
On the application of the holder of a prospecting licence and on payment of the appropriate prescribed fee, the Commissioner, for good cause shown, may by writing under his hand either suspend the obligation imposed on the holder of the licence by regulation 14, or reduce the average minimum rate of expenditure imposed upon the holder of the licence by the said regulation to such rate, in either case for a period of six months at any one time (being a period referred to in regulation 14), as he may deem proper, and such power may be exercised by the Commissioner notwithstanding that the period for which suspension of the obligation or reduction of the average minimum rate of expenditure, as the case may be, is granted, has commenced to run.
(L.N. 155 of 1963)

### Mining (General) Regulations 《礦務(一般)規例》

16. Renewal or surrender of prospecting licences
Application for the renewal or surrender of a prospecting licence shall be made through the Superintendent of Mines.

17. Mining licence
A mining licence shall be in the form prescribed in the First Schedule. (See Form V)

18. Duty to submit prospecting plan
In addition to the plan furnished in accordance with the provisions of regulation 3, the applicant shall submit to the Superintendent of Mines for retention a further plan on a scale not smaller than 1:2,000 showing all prospecting done on the area in respect of which the application for a mining licence is made together with the minerals found and a statement of the ore reserves as calculated from such prospecting.
(L.N. 155 of 1963; L.N. 87 of 1986)

19. Power to substitute mining lease for mining licence
Where there is reason to believe that the mineral deposit is such as to justify the grant of a mining lease, such a lease may be granted in substitution for a mining licence provided that the applicant complies with the provisions of the Ordinance and of these regulations in respect thereof.
(L.N. 155 of 1963)

20. Renewal of mining licences
Application for renewal of a mining licence shall be made through the Superintendent of Mines.
(L.N. 155 of 1963)

21. Grant of mining lease within prospecting licence or mining licence boundaries
(1) The holder of a prospecting licence or mining licence may apply for a mining lease on the prescribed form.
(2) Where there is reason to believe that the mineral deposit is not such as to justify the grant of a mining lease, a mining licence may be granted to the holder of a prospecting licence provided that the applicant complies with the provisions of the Ordinance and of these regulations in respect of mining licences. (L.N. 155 of 1963)

### Mining (General) Regulations 《礦務(一般)規例》

22. Obligations in respect of labour and Superintendent’s power of modification. Acceptance of horse-power equivalent in substitution
(1) The holder of a mining licence or mining lease shall keep continuously employed in mining operations on the area to which the licence or lease relates at least five persons for every 4 hectares or part thereof. (L.N. 155 of 1963)
(2) (a) Labour-saving apparatus calculated at the rate of 1 kilowatt per 7 persons may be accepted in substitution, pro rata, for the number of persons specified in paragraph (1).
(b) For the purpose of this regulation, the kilowatt power of all internal combustion, ignition compression and steam engines shall be the output power in kilowatts declared in the manufacturer’s specifications.
(3) If it is shown to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that circumstances have arisen in connection with any mining licence or mining lease or the holder thereof which render it necessary for him so to do, he may, by writing under his hand and on such conditions and for such time as he may specify, either suspend the obligations of the licensee or lessee imposed by this regulation or reduce the minimum number of persons required to be employed for every 4 hectares to such number as he may specify. (L.N. 155 of 1963)
(L.N. 87 of 1986)

22A. Interpretation
(Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 57 of 1999 s. 3)
In this Part, the expression “specified minerals” (指明礦物) means any minerals, in their unmanufactured state, to which the Chief Executive may by order apply Part VI of the Ordinance.
(L.N. 23 of 1966; 57 of 1999 s. 3)

23. Application to Commissioner for Authorized Buyer’s Licence
(1) Any person who desires to obtain an Authorized Buyer’s Licence shall apply in writing to the Commissioner declaring—
(a) the class or classes of specified minerals he desires to purchase; (L.N. 155 of 1963; L.N. 23 of 1966)
(b) the address of the godown or other place at which he proposes to store any specified mineral; and (L.N. 155 of 1963; L.N. 23 of 1966)
(c) an address where notices may be served.
(2) The Commissioner may reject any application or may grant the applicant a licence in the form prescribed in the First Schedule. (See Form VIII)

24. Requirement of Mineral Removal Permit
All specified minerals removed from any mining area shall be accompanied by a Mineral Removal Permit issued by the Commissioner in the form prescribed in the First Schedule. (See Form VI)