(1)  Subject to subsections (2) and (3) , any person may examine any drill core or cutting deposited with the Director at any place the Director thinks fit during normal business hours.

(2)  A person must not examine a drill core or cutting taken from a licence area and stored with the Director in accordance with a direction under section 118 –

(a) while the land from which it was taken –

(i) remains in the licence area; or

(ii) is the subject of a retention licence or lease without interruption from the date on which the drill core or cutting was taken; or

(iii) is the subject of an application for a retention licence or a lease; and

(b) without the written approval of the licensee, lessee or the applicant.

(3)  A person may not examine a drill core or cutting taken from a lease area and stored in accordance with any requirements of the Director under section 123 –

(a) while the land from which it was taken –

(i) remains in the lease area; or

(ii) is the subject of a retention licence without interruption from the date on which the drill core or cutting was taken; or

(iii) is the subject of an application for a retention licence; and

(b) without the written approval of the lessee, licensee or applicant.