Part 11Assistance to mining

Part 11—Assistance to mining 71—Minister may assist in conduct of operations (1) The Minister may assist in the conduct of authorised operations by the loan of mining equipment or of money to be expended in advancing authorised operations. (2) Assistance may be provided upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Minister, but any money advanced under subsection (1) shall become a debt due to the Crown, to be repaid in such manner as the Minister may direct. 72—Research and investigations The Minister may— (a) conduct research and investigation into— (i) the existence of native title on mineral land; and (ii) problems affecting the conduct of authorised operations or the treatment of ores; and (b) stipulate and recover charges for any such research or investigation conducted at the request of any person; and (c) pay the cost of any such research or investigation out of money provided by Parliament for the purpose. 73—Acquisition of mining equipment The Minister may, out of money provided by Parliament, acquire mining equipment for the purposes of this Part.