Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated Acts(1) A person may apply to the Joint Authority for an exploration licence over a standard block if:
(a) the block is vacant; and
(b) the block is not excluded.
Note: For excluded blocks see section 51.
(2) A standard block is vacant if no exploration, retention or mining licence is in force over the block.
(3) A person may apply for an exploration licence over a group of standard blocks if:
(a) the group forms a discrete area; and
(b) there are not more than 500 blocks in the group.
Note: The Designated Authority may, in certain circumstances, allow an application to be made for an exploration licence covering up to 3 discrete areas (see section 53).