(1) If the Minister
proposes to refuse an application for a mining licence made under section 198,
the Minister must notify the applicant of the proposed refusal.
(2) The notice must
—
(a) be
in writing; and
(b)
specify the reason for the proposed refusal; and
(c)
invite the applicant to make written submissions in relation to the proposed
refusal; and
(d)
specify the day by which submissions may be made to the Minister; and
(e)
specify an address where submissions are to be lodged.
(3) The day specified
under subsection (2)(d) must be not less than 30 days after the day on which
the notice is given.
(4) The Minister may
refuse to grant an application for a mining licence made under section 198
only if —
(a) the
applicant has been given a notice under subsection (1); and
(b) the
Minister has considered any submission made by the applicant; and
(c) the
Minister is satisfied that no special circumstances exist that justify the
licence being granted.
(5) This section does
not apply if the reason for the refusal of an application for a mining licence
is that the requirements of section 38A(2) have not been met.
Note:
Section 38A(2)
requires the consent of Parliament to be obtained to the provisional grant
under section 206 of a mining licence over a marine nature reserve or a marine
park.