29BProcess for considering application under public tender for conditional exploration permit

1. This section applies if—

2. a Tier 1 permit for exploration is offered for allocation by public tender under section 24(1); and
3. the offer specifies a date that is the latest acceptable reassessment date; and
4. a tender made in response to the offer under section 24(1) states that it is to be considered in accordance with this section; and
5. the proposed work programme provided with the tender contains a reassessment date.

6. If this section applies, the Minister must, when considering whether to grant the permit to the tenderer, be satisfied of the matters set out in section 29A(2)(b) and (d) only in relation to work that will be undertaken before the reassessment date.

7. If a permit is granted in accordance with this section, work cannot be undertaken after the reassessment date unless, before that date, the Minister has, on application by the permit holder, satisfied themselves of the matters set out in section 29A(2)(b) and (d) in relation to that work.

8. For the purposes of subsection (3),—

9. section 29A(3) and (4) apply for the purposes of the Minister satisfying himself or herself; and
10. section 29A(2) to (4) must be read with all necessary modifications.

11. In this section,—

    work means work to be undertaken under a work programme for a permit.