(1)

Subject to the provisions of section 4A, the holder of a mining lease shall send to the authorised officer, as the case may be, and the State Government a notice in Form E when the mining or mineral processing operations in the mine or part thereof are discontinued for a period exceeding ninety days so as to reach them within one hundred and twenty days from the date of such temporary discontinuance.

(2)

Where the discontinuance takes place as a result of the occurrence of a natural calamity beyond the control of the holder of a mining lease or in compliance with any order or directions issued by any statutory authority established under any law in force or any tribunal or a court, a notice shall be submitted to the authorised officer, as the case may be, within a period of fifteen days of such discontinuance in Form-E.

(3)

During the temporary discontinuation of a mine or part thereof, it shall be the responsibility of the holder of a mining lease to-

(a) comply with the reasonable prohibitive measures to restrict access for unauthorised entry;

(b) provide protective measures to potentially danger sources of electrical and mechanical installations, and the mine openings or workings and all other structures;

(c) ensure that all contaminated effluents are controlled and all physical, chemical, biological monitoring programmes are continued;

(d) ensure that all rock piles, over burden piles and stock piles and tailings, and other water impoundment structure are maintained in stable and safe conditions.