(1)  A person may apply to the Minister for a lease.

(2)  An application is to –

(a) be in an approved form; and

(b) specify the minerals, or category of minerals, in respect of which it is made; and

(c) be accompanied by a statement specifying –

(i) the mining to be carried out under the lease; and

(ii) a description of the area of land in respect of which the lease is sought; and

(iii) the financial and technical resources available to the applicant to carry out the mining; and

(iv) an estimate of the proposed expenditure on mining operations under the lease; and

(d) be accompanied by a plan of that area; and

(e) be accompanied by the prescribed fee, if any; and

(f) be lodged with the Registrar within 7 days after marking out that area under section 72 ; and

(g) be accompanied by 6 months' rent in advance; and

(h) contain any other prescribed details.

(3)  The Director may require an applicant to provide further information.

(4)  If a relevant licence, within the meaning of section 161E(1) , ceases to be in force in relation to an area of land, a person may not, until a date specified by the Director, in accordance with section 161E(2)(c) , in a notice published under section 161E(2) in relation to the licence, apply for a lease that is to relate to both –

(a) all or part of the area of land that is specified in the notice; and

(b) a mineral, or category of minerals, specified in the notice.