(1)

The provisions of this Code, except those contained in sections 35, 38, 40, 41 and 44, shall not apply to-

(a) any mine or part thereof in which excavation is being made for prospecting purposes only and not for the purpose of obtaining minerals for use or sale subject to such conditions relating to number of employees, depth of excavation and other matters as may be prescribed by the Central Government;

(b) any mine engaged in the extraction of kankar, murrum, laterite, boulder, gravel, shingle, ordinary sand (excluding mouldings and glass sand and other mineral sands), ordinary clay (excluding kaolin, china clay, white clay or fire clay), building stone, slate, road metal, earth, fullers earth (marl, chalk) and lime stone subject to such conditions relating to workings, open cast workings and explosives as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

(2)

Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Central Government may declare that the provisions of this Code shall apply to such mine or part thereof as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

(3)

Without prejudice to the provisions contained in sub-section (2), if at any time any of the conditions specified in clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (1) is not fulfilled in relation to any mine referred to in that sub-section, the provisions of this Code not set out in sub-section (1), shall become immediately applicable, and it shall be the duty of the employer of the mine to inform about such non-fulfilment to such authority in such manner and within such time as may be prescribed by the Central Government.