On the heels of this week’s dashed hopes of riches from what was believed to be the discovery of gold in Hanover, the Mines and Geology Division has said that the Minerals (Vesting) Act confers the appropriate to all minerals to the State.

It says these embody metals, comparable to gold and silver or minerals containing copper, lead and iron; treasured stones; carbonaceous minerals, comparable to coal; and a few industrial minerals, comparable to marble, high-purity limestone and silica sand.

Whereas the mineral present in Hanover was not gold, however pyrite, a substance of little financial worth, members of the general public are nonetheless being inspired to report such discoveries to the Mines and Geology Division.

The division says it should examine the mineral prevalence and supply technical and financial suggestions in the direction of its improvement.

It provides that if a mineral deposit is developed, the legislation offers for a share of the royalties payable on the minerals mined to be allotted to the landowner.

The division notes that scientific curiosity of the general public has led to many vital discoveries which have added to the physique of data on the Geology of Jamaica.

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