Section 7. Permit for mineral resource activities.

No person or vessel in Antarctica shall--- (a) drill, dredge or excavate for mineral resources; (b) collect any samples of mineral resources; or (c) do anything for the purpose of identifying specific mineral resource occurrences or deposits, or areas where such occurrences or deposits may be found, except in accordance with a permit issued under this Act: Provided that no permit shall be issued for the purposes of this section unless the Committee is satisfied that the activities shall be carried on only for the purposes--- (a) of scientific research; or (b) connected with the construction, maintenance or repair in Antarctica of an Indian station or any other structure, road, runway or jetty maintained by or on behalf of India. Explanation.--For the purposes of this section, "mineral resource" means any natural resource that is neither living nor renewable.