130Cancellation of exploration licence

130 Cancellation of exploration licence

130 Cancellation of exploration licence

(1) Subject to subsection (5), the Minister may cancel an exploration licence if the licence holder:

(a) breaches a licence condition, or

(b) contravenes a provision of this Act or the regulations, or

(c) breaches a condition attached to an approval under section 365 (2).

(2) If the Minister proposes to cancel a licence under subsection (1), the Minister must give the licence holder a written notice that informs the holder of the proposed cancellation.

(3) The notice must:

(a) specify the reason for the proposed cancellation, and

(b) invite the holder to make submissions in relation to the proposed cancellation, and

(c) specify the day by which submissions may be given to the Minister, and

(d) specify an address where submissions are to be lodged.

(4) The day specified under subsection (3) (c) must be not less than 60 days after the day on which the notice is given.

(5) The Minister may cancel the licence only if:

(a) the holder has been given a notice under subsection (2), and

(b) the Minister has considered:

(i) any submission made by the holder in accordance with subsection (3), and

(ii) any steps taken by the holder to remedy the breach or contravention that led to the proposal to cancel the licence and to prevent any similar breach or contravention from happening again, and

(c) the Minister is satisfied that no special circumstances exist that justify the licence not being cancelled.