Section 5June 27, 1991, Sec./Art. 5

Declaration of People's Small-scale Mining Areas. – The Board is hereby authorized to declare and set aside people's small-scale mining areas in sites onshore suitable for small-scale mining, subject to review by the Secretary, immediately giving priority to areas already occupied and actively mined by small-scale miners before August 1, 1987: provided, that such areas are not considered as active mining areas: provided, further, that the minerals found therein are technically and commercially suitable for small-scale mining activities: provided, finally, that the areas are not covered by existing forest rights or reservations and have not been declared as tourist or marine reserved, parks and wildlife reservations, unless their status as such is withdrawn by competent authority.