(1)  A licensee may apply to the Minister for an extension of the term of the licence.

(2)  An application is to be –

(a) in an approved form; and

(b) accompanied by the prescribed fee; and

(c) lodged with the Registrar before the licence ceases to be in force.

(3)  The Minister must –

(a) grant an application for any period the Minister determines and with or without conditions; or

(b) refuse to grant the application.

(4)  The Minister, by notice in writing, must notify the applicant of –

(a) the grant of the application; or

(b) the refusal to grant the application and the reasons for the refusal.

(5)  A licensee may appeal to the Mining Tribunal against the Minister's refusal to grant the application within 28 days after receipt of a notice under subsection (4)(b).

(6)  A licence remains in force until –

(a) the Minister makes a decision under subsection (3) ; or

(b) if an appeal is made under subsection (5) , the Mining Tribunal makes an order in relation to the appeal; or

(c) if the date on which the licence would, if the application were not granted, expire is a date later than the date on which a decision or order referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) occurs, the date on which the licence would expire.