Section 21 of the Principal Act is amended as follows:

(a) by omitting from subsection (1)(a) "5 and 6" and substituting "3 and 5" ;

(b) by omitting from subsection (1)(b) "3" and substituting "6" ;

(c) by omitting subsections (2) and (3) and substituting the following subsections:

(2)  Land comprised in a licence may be either or both of the following:

(a) the same size as, or smaller than, the area of land in respect of which the licence was sought;

(b) different in shape from the area of land in respect of which the licence was sought.

(3)  An area of land comprised in a licence ( the relevant licence ) in respect of a mineral, or category of minerals, must not include an area which –

(a) is the subject of a licence of any kind in respect of the same mineral, or category of minerals, other than a special exploration licence held by the person to whom the application for the relevant licence is granted; or

(b) is the subject of a lease or an application for a lease; or

(c) is the subject of an application for a retention licence in respect of the same mineral or category of minerals.