Section 22
Application for prospecting licence
—
(1)
An application for a prospecting licence, which may be a general or exclusive licence, shall be made in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Authority.
(2)
Every application shall be referred to the Director who will provide such information and data pertaining to the area over which the application relates or any matter relating thereto, to the Minister.
(3)
For the purpose of considering an application for a prospecting licence, the Director shall verify for the Minister that the applicant—
(a)
has complied with the requirements of this Ordinance;
and
(b)
is technically and financially qualified to prospect the area to which the application relates.
(4)
The Minister may, after considering the application, determine whether the application should be—
(a)
approved, in whole or in part—
(i)
confirming that the applicant has complied with the requirements of this Ordinance; and
(ii)
specifying the terms and conditions subject to which the prospecting licence is to be granted; or
(b)
refused.
(5)
The Director shall direct the Superintendent to notify the applicant in writing of the decision under subsection (4).
(6)
If the application for a prospecting licence is approved, the
Superintendent shall, as soon as practicable after being notified under subsection (5) and upon payment of the prescribed fee and the first year’s licence fee, register the instrument of the licence and issue to the applicant a prospecting licence in Form B as set out in the
Schedule subject to such terms and conditions as may be specified therein or as may be prescribed.
(7)
If the applicant fails to pay the prescribed fee and the first year’s licence fee as required under subsection (6) within sixty days after being notified of the approval of the prospecting licence such approval shall be deemed revoked.
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