Northern Territory Consolidated Acts53. Core samples to be lodged
(1) As soon as practicable after he recovers a drill core or cutting from the licence area, a licensee shall, in writing, notify the Secretary that the core or cutting has been recovered and identify, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, the place on the licence area from which the core or cutting was taken.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), a drill core or cutting referred to in subsection (1) shall not be disposed of by the licensee except with and in accordance with the written directions of the Secretary.
(3) As soon as practicable after land from which a drill core or cutting referred to in subsection (1) ceases to be in a licence area or area of a mineral lease or mineral claim, or on land the subject of an application for the grant of a mineral lease or mineral claim, the person who was the licensee shall deposit with the Secretary that core or cutting, unless it has previously been disposed of in accordance with subsection (2).
(4) A drill core or cutting deposited under subsection (3) with the Secretary may be examined by any person, on request, during normal office hours at a place that the Department advises.
(5) A drill ore or cutting deposited with the Secretary or a person to be held on behalf of the Secretary, in accordance with a direction under subsection (2) may, while the land from which it was taken remains a licence area or mineral lease area, or the subject of an application for the grant of a mineral lease or mineral claim, be examined by a person only with approval in writing of the licensee or the holder of, or applicant for, the mineral lease or mineral claim, as the case may be.