Miscellaneous provisions concerning reconnaissance licences

(1) Subject to this section, where the holder of a reconnaissance licence applies for the grant of an exclusive prospecting licence over an area of land in the reconnaissance area and the application has not been finally dealt with before the date on which the reconnaissance licence would, but for this sub-section, cease to have effect, the reconnaissance licence continues to have effect over the area of land until– (a) notice is given to the applicant pursuant to this Act of the refusal to grant the exclusive (b) as the case may be, the date of the grant of the exclusive prospecting licence, as stated in the (2) Where an exclusive prospecting licence is granted to the holder of a reconnaissance licence, the land subject to that exclusive prospecting licence ceases to be subject to that 27 reconnaissance licence, but no other reconnaissance licence is affected by the grant of that exclusive prospecting licence. (3) Where an area of land becomes a mining area, it ceases to be subject to any reconnaissance licence to which it was subject immediately before becoming a mining area. (4) Sub-section (1) shall not have effect– (a) to prevent the cancellation under this Act of a reconnaissance licence; or (b) if the application for the grant of an exclusive prospecting licence is withdrawn. of