Upon the request of any officer or employee duly designated by the Secretary to conduct an audit or investigation pursuant to this section, the appropriate records, reports, or information that may be required by this section shall be made available for inspection and duplication by such officer or employee. (3) Forfeiture Failure by a claim holder or lessee, operator, or other person referred to in paragraph (1)(A) to cooperate with an audit or investigation under paragraph (2), provide data required by the Secretary, or grant access to information may, at the discretion of the Secretary, result in involuntary forfeiture of the claim or lease. (4) Maintenance of records (A) In general Records required by the Secretary under this section shall be maintained for 7 years after release of financial assurance under section 306 unless the Secretary notifies the operator that the Secretary has initiated an audit or investigation involving such records and that such records must be maintained for a longer period. (B) Audit or investigation In any case when an audit or investigation is underway, records shall be maintained until the Secretary releases the operator of the obligation to maintain such records. (f) Audits (1) In general The Secretary is authorized to conduct such audits of all claim holders or lessees, operators, transporters, purchasers, processors, or other persons directly or indirectly involved in the production or sale of minerals covered by this Act, as the Secretary determines necessary for the purposes of ensuring compliance with the requirements of this section. (2) Availability of information For purposes of performing such audits, the Secretary shall, at reasonable times and upon request, have access to, and may copy, all books, papers, and other documents that relate to compliance with any provision of this section by any person. (g) Cooperative agreements (1) In general The Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with the Secretary of Agriculture to share information