(1)
The Minister may impose a condition of the kind described in subsection (2) on—
the grant of an exploration permit; or
the grant of an application for a change to an exploration permit.
(2)
The Minister may impose a condition requiring the permit holder to relinquish a specified amount of the permit area at a specified time or on a specified event (a relinquishment obligation).
(3)
The Minister may impose a relinquishment obligation not more than twice in relation to a permit, and the total area to be relinquished must not exceed,—
in the case of an exploration permit for petroleum, 75% of the original area of land to which the permit applied:
in the case of an exploration permit for minerals other than petroleum, 50% of the original area of land to which the permit applied.
(4)
The holder of a permit that is subject to a relinquishment obligation must submit to the Minister for approval, within the time frame specified in the permit condition, a map of the area that the holder proposes to relinquish.
(5)
The Minister must consider the map and approve the area to be relinquished, with or without amendment, as he or she thinks fit.
Section 35C: inserted, on 24 May 2013, by section 27 of the Crown Minerals Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 14).