In April 1979, a general law on mining activities (Law 5/79) was enacted and gave the state the exclusive right to prospect for and exploit minerals.

The French also pressed for a provision against exploiting eastern Congo's diamonds, other minerals and wildlife.

There are 150 mines in the province exploiting various minerals.

Because of the emphasis on exploiting the forage, timber and minerals of the range, the number of wildlife biologists and recreation specialists has plunged, she said.

In 1989, Mrs Thatcher stressed the need for Britain to pay for mineral research in Antarctica, despite a resolve by the UN General Assembly not to exploit Antarctic minerals.

In Soviet times, the Kazakhs were forced into collective farms and industrial cities such as Karaganda and Kostanay, which sprouted to exploit coal, iron ore and other minerals.

However, such an arrangement confers no rights to exploit minerals if found.

He subsequently expanded his activities to exploit minerals outside Fforest Fawr and to markets further to the south in the rapidly industrialising valleys of the South Wales Coalfield.

Attempts have been made in the past to exploit minerals from the seafloor.

It offers the rebels various ministerial posts and also the important presidency of a committee authorised to exploit and export minerals.