Northern Territory Consolidated Acts Northern Territory Consolidated Acts47. Notice to apply for mineral lease or mineral claim
(1) Where, after considering an application referred to in section 46, or at any time during the currency of an exploration retention licence, the Minister is of the opinion that actual mining operations should commence on the licence area, he shall give to the licensee written notice directing him to show cause, within the time specified in the notice, why the licensee should not apply for a mineral lease or mineral claim in respect of the licence area or any part of it.
(2) If a licensee to whom a notice under subsection (1) has been given does not, within the time specified in the notice, or such longer time as the Minister in writing before the expiration of that time allows, reply to the notice, or the Minister, on considering a licensee's reply, is not satisfied that the licensee should not apply for a mineral lease or mineral claim, the Minister shall give the licensee a further written notice directing him, within the time specified in the notice, to apply for a mineral lease or mineral claim in respect of the licence area or any part of it.
(3) Where the licensee to whom a notice of direction is given under subsection (2) does not apply for a mineral lease or mineral claim in respect of the licence area or any part of it within the time specified in the notice, the Minister may, in his discretion, cancel the exploration retention licence.