29Renewed permit area to be reduced

29 Renewed permit area to be reduced

(1) In renewing an exploration permit, the Minister must ensure that the permit area is reduced by at least 50%.

(2) In renewing an exploration permit and reducing the permit area, the Minister must be satisfied that both the area to which the renewed permit will apply and the area to which the permit will no longer apply are of such a nature that it will still be practicable for geothermal energy exploration to be carried out on them.

(3) In reducing the area to which a renewed exploration permit will apply, the Minister must ensure that the reduced area forms no more than 2 continuous parcels of land.

(4) Despite subsection (1), the Minister may issue a renewed exploration permit without reducing the permit area, or without reducing the permit area by at least 50%, if—

(a) the Minister is satisfied, on the written application of the holder of the permit—

(i) that the holder was unable to explore a relevant area as a result of one or more events that were beyond the holder's control; or

(ii) that there are exceptional circumstances that justify the renewal; or

(b) it is necessary to do so to enable the Minister to comply with subsection (3).