Minerals Development Act 2017
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Renewing retention licence | ||
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23. The Minister shall grant a renewal of a retention licence to the licensee in respect of the minerals and land specified in the retention licence if— | ||
(a) the licensee submits, before the end of the term of the current licence, an application in the prescribed form, the prescribed application fee and a current tax clearance certificate, | ||
(b) the Minister is satisfied that at the time of making the application— | ||
(i) it is still not economically feasible to work the minerals, although it is reasonable to expect that working the minerals will become economically feasible in the future, or | ||
(ii) there are still environmental, access or other difficulties that prevent the minerals from being worked for the time being, | ||
(c) the Minister is of the opinion that prospecting for the minerals is in the public interest, | ||
(d) the applicant satisfies the Minister that— | ||
(i) a reduced exploration programme is appropriate and that the applicant has, or has available to him or her, the financial resources and technical ability to carry out the programme, or | ||
(ii) no exploration programme is required in the circumstances, | ||
(e) the applicant continues to be a fit and proper person (as provided for by section 27 ) to be a licensee, | ||
(f) the licensee has complied with the conditions of the licence to be renewed and has not breached a provision of this Act or the regulations or a condition of any other prospecting licence, retention licence, mining licence or ancillary surface rights licence held by the licensee, | ||
(g) the applicant provides the prescribed information and evidence and any additional information or evidence required by the Minister, | ||
(h) the requirements of section 25 regarding public notice and consideration of objections have been complied with, | ||
(i) the applicant obtains insurance of the classes and in the amounts that are satisfactory to the Minister, and | ||
(j) the first instalment of the licence fee, as determined by the Minister, has been paid. |