Other minerals

(1) Without prejudice to the provisions of section 16 (1) of this Act, the Government shall have the right to grant to persons, other than a contractor, licences pursuant to the Mines and Minerals Act, Cap. 226, for the prospecting and exploration for, and mining of, substances other than petroleum within the contract area. In such event, the contractor shall afford safe passage for the licensee to that portion of the contract area in which such licensee proposes to carry out its operations and in the event of a difficulty or dispute between the contractor and the licensee as to their respective rights in the contract area, the matter shall be referred to the Minister whose decision thereon shall be final. (2) If any archeological objects, fossils or minerals of economic interest or capable of development are discovered by a contractor during the course of petroleum operations, the contractor shall forthwith report such discovery and shall supply, in the case of a discovery of minerals, a sample thereof to the Inspector. 26