@Bravo77There is a technical sunset date. The application...

@Bravo77
There is a technical sunset date.

The application remains on while at the Joint Authority. But as soon as it's decided, either new dates are adopted or it will expire (if that was the case). In this case, if refused the approval will remain onfoot as the second is still onfoot (and because the second was submitted within 12 months of the expiry, if this was refused, this approval would remain on foot until 2 months after this 2nd application is decided.)

So if it is approved, the dates would be per the application (they don't slide with the decision/ take into account delays in the decision). So it would require the drill to be completed in Feb next year, thus the sunset date to have the exploration hole drilled.

Worth noting, the minister can use their power to determine a different expiry date, but that's to their sole decretion. My opinion is an election will be April/ May 2022, so I don't think KP will use that power and push the exploration hole into the election cycle. Politically, I believe you either continue the delay or make sure it's done and capped by then.

So if it's approved in the near term, the sunset date of Feb 2022 to drill would remain.

I confirmed the above from NOPTA, I copied the email once upon a time.