The Ministry of Land and Resources on April 4 held a press conference in Beijing, introducing the background against which the Regulation on Geological Data Management was drawn up and measures to be adopted for its implementation.
The new regulation, which will go into effect on July 1, will institute shared information and public utilization on the basis of guaranteeing the lawful rights and interests of the collector and deliverer. The regulation establishes three basic systems, namely, instituting unified collection and delivery of geological data, providing for public utilization and strengthening rights protection, the regulation is linked up with international practices.
Foreign investors will enjoy national treatment in using the geological data.
The regulation classifies the geological data into two categories: one is of commerce and the other of public good, commercial materials will be protected for a period of 10 years during which only material catalog and document list are provided, users and provider can discuss matters concerning utilization, provider can offer paid utilization.
Those who fail to provide geological data in accordance with the regulation shall not apply for new rights to mineral exploration and mining, or undertake State-funded geological work projects. License and certificate for exploration and mining shall be revoked if companies and individuals who forge geological data and fail to mend their ways despite having been enjoined.
(People's Daily April 6, 2002)
