Section 14June 27, 1991, Sec./Art. 14

Rights of Claimowners. – In case a site declared and set aside as a people's-scale mining area is covered by an existing mining right, the claimowner and the small-scale miners therein are encouraged to enter into a voluntary and acceptable contractual agreement with respect to the small-scale utilization of the mineral values from the area under claim. In case of disagreement, the claimowner shall be entitled to the following rights and privileges:

(a) Exemption from the performance of annual work obligations and payment of occupation fees, rental, and real property taxes;

(b) Subject to the approval of the Board, free access to the contract area to conduct metallurgical tests, explorations and other activities, provided such activities do not unduly interfere with the operations of the small-scale miners; and

(c) Royalty equivalent to one and one half percent (1 1/2%) of the gross value of the metallic mineral output or one percent (1%) of the gross value of the nonmetallic mineral output to be paid to the claimowner: provided, that such rights and privileges shall be available only if he is not delinquent and other performance of his annual work obligations and other requirements for the last two (2) years prior to the effectivity of this Act.