Minerals Development Act 2017

Boreholes and shafts

33. (1) Notwithstanding section 210 , every prospecting licence and retention licence is subject to the condition that the licensee may not drill a borehole or sink a shaft below the surface of the specified land unless the prior written consent of the Minister has been obtained.

(2) Every prospecting licence and retention licence is subject to the condition that the licensee—

(a) shall keep and maintain, in respect of every borehole drilled or shaft sunk, a lithological log and a record of the borehole or shaft’s diameter, depth, direction, inclination and location and such other information as may be prescribed, and

(b) may not discard a drill core or other specimens obtained from a borehole or shaft unless the prior written consent of the Minister has been obtained.

(3) After receiving a request for a consent under subsection (2)(b) the Minister may, at the Minister’s expense, take all or part of the drill core or specimens to be discarded.

(4) An inspector may at all reasonable times do all or any of the following in respect of a borehole or shaft referred to in subsection (1):

(a) inspect the site of the borehole or shaft;

(b) inspect specimens obtained from the borehole or shaft within the term of the licence;

(c) take samples of such specimens;

(d) review and take copies of the lithological log kept in respect of the borehole or shaft.

(5) Any person who fails to comply with the obligations imposed by this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a class A fine.