Recovery of unexpended amounts

(1) Subject to sub-section (3), when the amount expended in, or in relation to, a reconnaissance area, a prospecting area or a mining area is less than the amount required to be so expended by a reconnaissance licence, an exclusive prospecting licence or a mining licence, or otherwise, the amount falling short of the amount required to be expended shall be deemed to be a debt due to the Government and may be recovered in a court of competent jurisdiction. 67 (2) In proceedings to sub-section (1), a certificate of the Inspector certifying that a specified amount is payable by an identified person shall be received as evidence of that fact, but without prejudice to the right to adduce evidence in rebuttal. (3) The right to recover an amount pursuant to this section is subject to the provisions of a relevant agreement of a kind referred to in section 9 limiting that right.