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7 
mineral resources of the deep seabed, The prohibition of this 
subsection does not apply to prospecting or scientific research, 
“(b) In any case in which an eligible applicant is 
already engaged in the exploration of a block, on the date 
on which this Act takes effect, that eligible applicant may 
file an application for a license to develop that block and may 
continue any exploration activities until such time as the 
Secretary acts upon the application, with any activity sub- 
sequent to the action of the Secretary to be determined by 
the decision of the Secretary under the provisions of section 
5 hereof. | | 
“LICENSE TO DEVELOP 
“Sno, 6. (a) GHNERAL.—Pursuant to the provisions of 
this Act, the Secretary shall accept application from, and 
issue licenses to, eligible applicants for the development of 
hard mineral resources of the deep seabed. Any license 
issued pursuant to this section shall be issued to the first 
eligible applicant who makes written application therefor, 
and tenders a fee of $50,000 for the block specified in the 
application and available for licensing. Such fee shall be 
deposited into an appropriate fund to be established by the 
Seeretary, which fund shall be utilized for administrative and 
other costs incurred in the processing of applications for 
