(1) This regulation applies to applications for exploration licences in respect of an area that are made at the first available opportunity after that area ¾

(a) has been surrendered under section 65; or

(b) has become forfeited under section 96A or 97.

(2) Applications to which this regulation applies shall be lodged by placing the applications in a tray specifically identified for that purpose at the office of the mining registrar.

(3) When the mining registrar is satisfied that all persons waiting to lodge applications to which this regulation applies have placed their applications in the tray in accordance with subregulation (2), the mining registrar shall remove the tray.

(4) The applications contained in the tray after removal by the mining registrar shall be regarded as having been lodged ¾

(a) in the case of applications in respect of an area surrendered under section 65, on the date and at the time endorsed on the public plans of the Department under regulation 23(c) as the date and time for the release of the area surrendered; and

(b) in the case of applications in respect of an area forfeited under section 96A or 97, at the same time on the date on which notice of the forfeiture was published in the Government Gazette.

[Regulation 18A inserted in Gazette 13 October 1995 p.4814.]