Mining laws need review

All mining and petroleum-affected landowner groups and their MPs should push for an amendment to the mining law to ensure landowners hold at least 10 per cent of the shares in a mining company, compared to two per cent now.
Landowners are spectators in their own land while the mine developers and the government walk away with the cream.
Some landowners are missing out on their benefits because they do not understand the contents of the agreement between the state, the developer and them.
Some end up signing for the copper and not the gold, or vice versa.
Others may sign only for gas and not the oil, or vice versa.
To avoid misinterpretations and future problems, landowners should use lawyers to guide them through the process before they sign.
Local lawyers understand local customs and conditions better than overseas lawyers.

Sylvester