Section 71: Pre-Conditions for commencement of development.

(1) The holder of a mining lease shall not commence any development work or extraction of Mineral Resources on the Mining Lease Area until after-
(a) the submission and approval by the Mines Environmental Compliance Department of all Environmental Impact Assessment studies and mitigation plans required under applicable environmental laws and regulations ;
(b) the submission and approval by the Mines Inspectorate Department of the details of the work which the applicant is prepared to undertake or a programme for carrying out any minimum work obligations imposed by the Mines Inspectorate Department.
(c) the conclusion of a Community Development Agreement approved by the Mines Environmental Compliance Department ; and
(d) the Holder has duly notified, compensated or offered compensation to all users of land within the Mining Lease Areas as provided for under this Act or in the event of a dispute, after the matter has been resolved by Arbitration ;
(2) The holder of a mining lease, except a mining lease for mineral water exploitation, is required to have resolved the matters specified in subsection 1 (a) and (b) of this section within three years from the issue of the Mining Lease, failing which the Mining Lease may be temporarily suspended without affecting the rental payments that shall continue and without prejudice to the transfer right of the Holder under the provisions of this Act ;
(3) The Holder of a Mining Lease for Mineral Water Exploitation is required to have complied with the conditions specified in subsection (1) (a) and (b) of this section within two years from the issue of the Mining Lease for Mineral Water, failing which the Mining Lease may be suspended.