128Examination and analysis of geological samples

128 Examination and analysis of geological samples (1) Subject to subregulation (3), a geological sample given to the Minister under section 93(3) of the Act or regulation 127 is available for examination by any person. Mineral Titles Regulations 2011 66 (2) The Minister may release a geological sample for examination as follows: (a) for a geological sample recovered from the title area of an EL or ELR – only if regulation 125 authorises the Minister to release or publish information contained in the relevant annual report; (b) for any other geological sample – at any time. (3) For subregulation (2)(a), the relevant annual report is the annual report for the operational year in which the holder of the EL or ELR: (a) recovered the geological sample; and (b) was required to notify the recovery under section 93(1) of (4) Despite subregulation (2)(a), the Minister may release a geological sample for examination earlier than specified if the holder of the EL or ELR gives written consent to the earlier release. (5) A person may apply, in the approved form, to the Minister for consent to remove part of a geological sample for analysis. (6) The Minister must not refuse the application unless there are circumstances to justify the refusal.