| (1) | Any holder of an exploration right who wishes to apply to the Minister for the renewal of an exploration right must lodge the application— |
| (c) | together with the prescribed non-refundable application fee. |
| (2) | An application for renewal of an exploration right must— |
| (a) | state the reasons and period for which the renewal is required; |
| (b) | be accompanied by a detailed report reflecting the exploration results, the interpretation thereof and the exploration expenditure incurred; |
| (c) | be accompanied by a report reflecting the extent of compliance with the conditions of the environmental authorisation; and |
[Section 81(2)(c) substituted by section 59(a) of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Act, 2008]
| (3) | The Minister must grant the renewal of an exploration right if the application complies with subsections (1) and (2) and the holder of the exploration right has complied with the— |
| (a) | terms and conditions of the exploration right is not in contravention of any relevant provision of this Act or any other law; |
| (b) | exploration work programme; and |
| (c) | conditions of the environmental authorisation. |
[Section 81(3)(c) substituted by section 59(b) of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Act, 2008]
| (4) | An exploration right may be renewed for a maximum of three periods not exceeding two years each. |
| (5) | An exploration in respect of which an application for renewal has been lodged shall, notwithstanding its expiry date, remain in force until such time as such application has been granted or refused. |
