Minister may require information to be furnished

(1) Where the Minister has reason to believe that a person is capable of giving information or producing or making available books or documents relating to minerals obtained, or the value of minerals obtained, he may by instrument in writing served on that person, order that person– (a) to furnish to him in writing, within the period and in the manner specified in the instrument, any such information; or (b) to attend before him or a person specified in the instrument, at such time and place as is so specified, and produce books or documents in his custody, power or control relating to minerals obtained or the value of minerals (2) A person is not excused from furnishing information, answering a question or producing or making available books or 83 documents, when required to do so under this section, on the ground that the information so furnished, the answer to the question, or the production or making available of any books or documents might tend to incriminate him or make him liable to a penalty, but the information so furnished shall not be admissible in evidence against him in any proceedings other than proceedings for an offence under this section. (3) Where books or documents are made available pursuant to a requirement under sub-section (1)(b), the person to whom the books or documents are made available may make copies of, or take extracts from, such books or documents. (4) A person shall not– (a) refuse or fail to comply with a requirement under sub-section (1) to the extent to which he is capable of complying with it; (b) in purported compliance with such a requirement, knowingly furnish information that is false or misleading in a material particular; (c) when attending before the Minister or any person in pursuance of such a requirement, knowingly make a statement or produce a document which is, or produce books which are, false or misleading in a material particular; or (d) when making available books or documents in pursuance of such a requirement, knowingly make available books which are, or a document which is, false or misleading in a material particular. (5) Any person who contravenes sub-section (4), commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 84 two thousand five hundred dollars or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both such fine and term of imprisonment.