Minerals Development Act 2017

Chapter 2

Statements of Interest

Registration

12. (1) A person may apply to the Minister to register a written statement that sets out the person’s interest in prospecting for specified minerals in or on specified land (referred to in this Act as a “statement of interest”).

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the Minister shall register a person’s statement of interest where—

(a) the person submits an application in the prescribed form that specifies the minerals of interest and—

(i) where appropriate, the number designated to the prospecting licence area by the Minister, or

(ii) an ordnance map at an appropriate scale or other suitable map approved by the Minister showing the area of land of interest,

(b) the person submits the prescribed application fee, and

(c) the proposed area of land does not exceed the prescribed limit on the area that may be covered by statements of interest registered in respect of one person.

(3) No statement of interest may be registered—

(a) in respect of land specified in a mining licence or land in relation to which the Minister has received an application for a mining licence that has not been refused,

(b) in respect of minerals in or on the land specified in a prospecting licence or a retention licence which is in force,

(c) in respect of minerals in or on the land specified in an application received by the Minister for a prospecting licence or a retention licence that has not been refused, or

(d) in respect of excepted minerals.