68Notice to apply for mining lease

68 Notice to apply for mining lease

(1)  If the Minister is of the opinion that mining operations should commence on any area of land comprised in a retention licence, the Minister, by notice in writing, may require the licensee to provide reasons for not applying for a lease.

(2)  A notice is to specify –

(a) the area of land to be subject to a lease; and

(b) the period within which the licensee is to provide reasons for not applying for a lease.

(3)  The Minister, by notice in writing, may direct the licensee to apply for a lease within a specified period if –

(a) the licensee fails to provide reasons within the specified period; or

(b) the Minister, after considering any reasons provided, is not satisfied that the licensee should not apply for a lease.

(4)  [Section 68 Subsection (4) amended by No. 44 of 2017, s. 30, Applied:21 Nov 2017] [Section 68 Subsection (4) amended by No. 74 of 2001, s. 17, Applied:30 Oct 2001] If the licensee fails to apply for a lease within the specified period or fails to fulfil the requirements of section 78A within 6 months after making an application for a lease or within any other time the Minister determines, the Minister may–

(a) revoke the licence held by the licensee; or

(b) amend it to exclude the area of land specified in a notice under subsection (2) (a) .