20. Insertion of new section 46A in the principal enactment

The following new section is hereby inserted immediately after section 46 of the principal enactment and shall have effect as section 46A of that enactment:—

46A. The Bureau may, where it considers it necessary for the purpose of discharging the functions of the Bureau, authorize in writing any officer of the Bureau (hereinafter referred to as the “authorized officer”) to—

enter, search and inspect any site, premises, or place in which any mining, exploration for, processing, storing, trade in or export of any mineral is being carried on under the authority of a licence issued under this

enter, search and inspect any site, premises or place where the authroized officer has reason to believe that any mining, exploration for processing, storing, trade in, or export of any mineral is being carried on without the authority of a licence under this Act ;

stop, enter and inspect any vehicle or vessel in which authorized officer has reason to believe that any minerals are being transported or exported as the case may be, in contravention of the provisions of this Act or regulations made thereunder.”.