Minerals Development Act 2017

Damage caused by previous prospecting activities

50. (1) In this section—

“former licence” means a prospecting licence or a retention licence that is no longer in force that was granted under this Act, the Minerals Development Act 1940 or Part III of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960 ;

“subsequent licence” means a prospecting licence or a retention licence granted under this Act that applies to some or all of the specified land described in a former licence or to some or all of the land that has been previously prospected by the Minister.

(2) A licensee under a subsequent licence is not liable for damage caused by a licensee under a former licence unless the subsequent licence is the renewal of the former licence or is a retention licence on which the former licence is based.

(3) A licensee under a subsequent licence is not liable for damage caused by prospecting activities previously carried out by the Minister.

(4) If the Minister prospects for minerals over certain land, the Minister is not liable for damage caused by a licensee under a former licence that applied to some or all of that land.