Mineral Resources Act 1989

The Minister may renew an exploration permit if the Minister is satisfied of each of the following—

the holder of the permit has—

observed and performed all the covenants and conditions applying to the permit and required to be observed and performed by the holder; and

complied with this Act in relation to the permit;

the activities proposed to be carried out, or the outcomes proposed to be pursued, as stated in the proposed work program for the further term of the permit, are appropriate and acceptable;

the financial and technical resources available to the holder to carry out the activities or pursue the outcomes mentioned in paragraph (b) are appropriate and acceptable;

the public interest will not be adversely affected by the renewal.

The renewal may be granted for the further term of not more than 5 years decided by the Minister.

However, the total of the initial term and all renewed terms of an exploration permit must not be more than 15 years.

The renewed permit is subject to—

any conditions prescribed under a regulation; and

any conditions decided by the Minister.

The Minister may refuse to renew the permit if the Minister—

has served on the holder a notice in the approved form asking the holder to show cause, within the period stated in the notice, why the renewal should not be refused; and

after considering the holder’s response, is satisfied the renewal should be refused.

As soon as practicable after deciding the application for the renewal, the Minister must give the holder a written notice stating—

the decision; and

if the decision is to grant the renewal on conditions, or to refuse the renewal, the reasons for the decision.