Non-exclusive prospecting licence

(1) Subject to this section, the Inspector may issue to any person a non-exclusive prospecting licence. 69 (2) Subject to sub-section (5), a non-exclusive prospecting (a) shall not be granted to an individual unless he is a citizen of Belize; (b) shall not be issued to a company unless it is a company whose entire share capital is beneficially owned by citizens of Belize or by a corporation which, in the opinion of the Minister, has been established for a public purpose, or partly by such citizens and partly by such a corporation; or (c) shall not be issued to a corporation unless it is a corporation incorporated in Belize. (3) A non-exclusive prospecting licence shall not be issued to a person unless the Inspector is satisfied that that person intends, with the limits of his competence and resources, to undertake prospecting operations. (4) The power to issue a non-exclusive prospecting licence is subject to the regulations. (5) Where the Minister is satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so and certifies to the Inspector, the Inspector may issue a non-exclusive prospecting licence– (a) to an individual who is not a citizen of Belize but who has been ordinarily resident in Belize during the period of four years immediately preceding the date on which his application for grant of a licence is made; or (b) to a company or corporation other than one of a kind referred to in sub-section (2)(b) or (c). 70