Section 5: Establishment of the Mining Cadastre Office.

(1) There shall be established within six (6) months of the coming into effect of this Act a Mining Cadastre Office with the responsibility for the administration of Mineral titles and the maintenance of the cadastral registers.
(2) The Mining Cadastre Office-
(a) shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal ;
(b) may sue and be sued in its corporate name ; and
(c) may acquire, hold and dispose of property, whether movable or immovable.
(3) The Mining Cadastre Office shall be administered by a Director-General who shall be assisted by such officers as shall be required for the efficient functioning of the cadastre system.
(4) In order to fulfil its functions under this Act the Mining Cadastre Office shall operate as the sole agency responsible for the administration of mineral titles.
(5) The Mining cadastre office shall in addition to any other functions prescribed by or under this Act perform the following-
(a) consider applications for mineral titles and permits, issue, suspend and upon the written approval of the Minister, revoke any mineral title ;
(b) receive and dispose of applications for the transfer, renewal, modification, relinquishment of mineral titles or extension of areas ;
(c) maintain a chronological record of all applications for mineral title in :
(i) a priority book which is to be specifically used to ascertain the priority and registration of applications for exclusive rights on vacant areas ;
(ii) a General Registry Book which is to be used for all other types of applications where registration of the priority is not required.
(d) undertake such other activities reasonably necessary for the purpose of carrying out its duties and responsbilites under the provisions of this Act.