(kk) 1[ " open cast working" means a quarry, that is to say, an excavation where any operation for the purpose of searching for or obtaining minerals has been or is being carried on, not being a shaft or an excavation which extends below superjacent ground;]
(1) " owner", when used in relation to a mine, means any person who is the immediate proprietor or lessee or occupier of the mine or of any part thereof and in the case of a mine the business whereof is being carried on by a liquidator or receiver such liquidator or receiver but does not include a
person who merely receives a royalty, rent or fine from the mine, or is merely the proprietor- of the mine, subject to any lease, grant or licence for the working thereof, or merely the owner of the soil and not interested in the minerals of the mine but 2[ any contractor or sub- lessee] for the working of a mine or any, part thereof shall be subject to this act in like manner as if he were an owner, but not so as to exempt the owner from any liability;