Surrender

(1) The holder of a reconnaissance licence, an exclusive prospecting licence or a mining licence who wishes to surrender the whole or part of the land subject to the licence shall apply to the Inspector for a certificate of surrender of the land not less than three months before the date on which he wishes the surrender to have effect. (2) An application under sub-section (1) – (a) shall state the date on which the applicant wishes the surrender to have effect; 56 (b) shall, if part only of the land subject to the licence is to be surrendered, identify that part by the inclusion of a plan thereof; (c) shall give particulars of reconnaissance, prospecting or mining operations carried on in respect of the land to be surrendered; and (d) shall be supported by such records and reports in relation to those operations as the Inspector may reasonably require. (3) Subject to sub-section (4) and (5), on application duly made under sub-section (1), the Inspector shall issue a certificate of surrender, either unconditionally or subject to such conditions as are specified in the certificate, in respect of the land to which the application relates. (4) Where an application is made under sub-section (1), the Inspector shall consult with the Minister. (5) The Inspector shall not issue a certificate of surrender– (a) to an applicant who has not paid the prescribed fees and complied with other conditions for the grant of the licence; (b) to an applicant who fails to comply with any reasonable requirement of the Inspector for the purposes of sub-section (2) (d); or (c) if the Inspector is not satisfied that the applicant will leave the land to be surrendered and on which reconnaissance, prospecting or mining operations have been carried on in a condition which is safe and in accordance with good mining practice. 57