>I read it as the closing report has to be submitted and approved by the expiration date in order to get the one year after expiration date exclusive right to apply for a mining plot.

You're right, it does suggest that. And looking at the Mining Act, it looks to me like the report has to be submitted at least 6 months before expiry. In other words, in Falcons case, they would need to submit a closing report within the next 4 weeks.

It could also be interpreted to mean 6 months after expiry. What do you think?

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A closing report shall be prepared on the result of the exploration, which shall be countersigned by a geological expert holding a license under a separate legal rule. The mining entrepreneur shall submit a closing report to the mining district authority in 2 copies, within 6 months of the completion of the exploration, but no later than within 6 months of the expiry of the period licensed for exploration.