Mines and Minerals Act, 1931

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Fencing of abandoned mines.

52.—(1) Where the working of any State mines and minerals or the exercise of any exclusive State mining right has been abandoned or discontinued, at whatever time the abandonment or discontinuance occurred, the Minister may cause the top or entrance of every shaft or outlet used in connection with such working to be kept surrounded by a structure of a permanent character sufficient to prevent accidents, and may enter on any land for the purpose of so doing.

(2) The Minister may authorise any person in writing to exercise for and on behalf of the Minister the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of this section on the Minister and any person so authorised (in this section referred to as an agent of the Minister) may in the name and for and on behalf of the Minister exercise such powers.

(3) If any person obstructs or interferes with any agent of the Minister in exercise of the powers conferred on such agent, by virtue of the foregoing provisions of this section, such person shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds.

(4) No compensation shall be payable in respect or in consequence of the exercise of the powers conferred by this section on the Minister or an agent of the Minister.

(5) Nothing in this section contained shall exempt any person from any liability under any other Act or otherwise.