(1) An exploration
licence shall, subject to this Act, remain in force for a period of 5 years
from and including the date on which it was granted, and shall then expire.
(2) Notwithstanding
subsection (1) the Minister may, if satisfied that a prescribed ground for
extension exists, extend the term of an exploration licence —
(a) by
one period of 5 years; and
(b) by a
further period or periods of 2 years,
as to the whole or any
part of the land the subject of that exploration licence on such terms and
conditions as the Minister thinks fit.
(3) An application for
the extension of the term of an exploration licence under subsection (2) shall
be made within the prescribed time and in the prescribed manner.
(3a) If an application
for the extension of the term of an exploration licence is made under this
section and the term of the licence would but for this subsection expire, the
licence shall continue in force in respect of the land the subject of the
application until the application is determined.
(4) If the holder of
an exploration licence transfers the licence after making an application for
the extension of the term of the licence under subsection (2), the application
continues in the name of the transferee of the licence as if the transferee
had made it.
[Section 61 amended: No. 122 of 1982 s. 18; No. 12
of 1987 s. 4; No. 37 of 1993 s. 26; No. 58 of 1994 s. 17; No. 17 of 1999 s. 8;
No. 39 of 2004 s. 14.]