Cabinet has approved the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Draft Bill for submission to Parliament.
In a statement after its fortnightly meeting, Cabinet said the bill sought to ensure the country's mineral sector was developed in a manner which promoted social and economic development.
It would strengthen provisions on cession and transfer of mining rights, streamline the administrative regulation process, and make provision for the implementation of the state's approved benefication strategy.
Cabinet said the bill would “address loopholes identified in various court judgments”. -Sapa