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)  [*\[Section 68 Subsection (4) amended by No. 44 of 2017, s. 30, Applied:21 Nov 2017\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-11-21/act-2017-044#GS30@EN) [*\[Section 68 Subsection (4) amended by No. 74 of 2001, s. 17, Applied:30 Oct 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-10-30/act-2001-074#GS17@EN) If the licensee fails to apply for a lease within the specified period or fails to fulfil the requirements of [section 78A](#GS78A@EN) 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)](#GS68@Gs2@EN) [(a)](#GS68@Gs2@Hpa@EN) .