ENG-1967 — Page 123

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

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The Superintendent of Mines grants mine-blasting certificates and certifies the origin of minerals in respect of which comprehen- sive certificates of origin are required. He is responsible for assessing royalties on mineral sales, at a rate of five per cent of value, and for issuing demand notes for royalties, rents, premia, and fees for licences and leases. The Mines Department inspects mining areas and surveys land affected by applications for licences and is also responsible for enforcement of legislation governing the conveyance, storage, manufacture, packing and use of explosives and fireworks. On August 19, 1967, all stocks of commercial explosives and explo- sives accessories were withdrawn to safe custody from site mag- azines throughout the Colony in order to deny access to explosive material to communist terrorists. The reissue of explosives to a limited number of sites under strict security precautions began on September 21.

For similar reasons it became necessary to enact the Emergency (Firework) Regulations 1967 which required any person having any firework in his possession other than a person to whom a licence to store fireworks had been granted, to notify the Commis- sioner of Mines or the police. The Commissioner of Mines was authorized to cancel any licence to store fireworks. Large quantities of fireworks were handed in and collected and most of them were destroyed by dumping at sea.

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