9Ownership of minerals

9 Ownership of minerals (1) The Crown owns all minerals except— (a) those in respect of which a minerals exemption is current; and (b) those in which the property has passed under section 11. (2) A minerals exemption continues in operation after the commencement of this section until the exemption expires or is revoked. (3) The Minister may, after giving 14 days' written notice to the person who benefits from a minerals exemption, transfer, vary or revoke that exemption. (4) The person who benefits from a minerals exemption may apply to the Minister for a transfer, variation or revocation of the exemption, and the Minister may grant or refuse the application. (5) Ownership of the minerals in respect of which a minerals exemption was granted reverts to the Crown when the exemption expires or is revoked.