Application for renewal of mining licence

(1) The holder of a mining licence may, not later than twelve months before the expiration of the licence, apply for the renewal of the licence in respect of the whole or any part of the (2) An application under sub-section (1) – (a) shall state the period for which renewal of the licence is sought; (b) shall be accompanied by a statement giving particulars of the programme of mining operations proposed to be carried out in the period of renewal, an estimate of any significant effect which the carrying out of the programme would be likely to have on the environment and on any monument or relic in the area over which renewal of the licence is sought, and an estimate of the cost of carrying out the programme; (c) shall be accompanied by a statement giving details of– (i) the latest proved, estimated or inferred ore reserves; 52 (ii) the capital investment to be made in, and production costs and revenue forecasts in respect of, the period of (iii) any expected changes in the methods of mining and treatment; and (iv) any expected increase or reduction in mining activities and the estimated life of the mine; (d) shall, if renewal of the licence is sought in respect of part only of the mining area, be accompanied by a plan identifying that part of the mining area; and (e) shall give particulars of any alterations in the matter shown in the application for the grant of the licence pursuant to section 36 (3)(a), (d), (h) (v), (vi) and (vii), (j) and (l). (3) Subject to sub-section (4), on application duly made for the renewal of a mining licence, the Minister shall renew the licence, with or without variation of the conditions of the licence, for a period not exceeding fifteen years. (4) The Minister shall refuse to renew a mining licence– (a) if– (i) the applicant has not paid the prescribed fees and complied with all other conditions for the grant of the (ii) the development of the mining area has not proceeded with reasonable diligence; 53 (iii) minerals in reasonable quantities do not remain to be produced; or (iv) the programme of mining operations proposed to be carried out is not satisfactory; (b) if the Minister has given to the applicant notice of his intention to refuse to renew the licence, (i) giving in the notice particulars of the ground for the intended refusal; and (ii) stating a date before which the applicant may take appropriate action or make representations in relation to that ground; and (c) if the applicant has not, before the specified date, remedied the default or, in a notice given to the Minister, made appropriate amendments to his application, or made representations which, in the opinion of the Minister, remove the ground for the intended refusal. (5) In determining whether or not to vary the conditions of a mining licence on renewal, the Minister shall have regard and give effect to any relevant agreement of a kind referred to in section 9.