; and (B) may reduce the royalty and rental rates for a lease under this section to encourage exploration for and development of critical minerals (as such term is defined in section 7002(a) of the Energy Act of 2020 ( 30 U.S.C. 1606(a) )). (2) Limitation The Secretary may not reduce the royalty rate for a lease pursuant to paragraph (1) to less than 6.25 percent. (f) Protection of land and other resources The Secretary, in consultation with any applicable surface management agency, may include in any lease or license issued under this Act such provisions as are necessary to adequately protect land and other resources in the vicinity of the area subject to the lease or license. 104. Competitive leasing (a) In general Subject to sections 111 and 112, Federal land known to contain valuable mineral deposits that is not covered by claims, licenses, or leases issued under this Act may only be open to hardrock mineral exploration or development through competitive leasing by the Secretary through such methods the Secretary may adopt by regulation and in such areas as the Secretary may determine, including nonmineral lands the Secretary considers necessary for processing or milling operations. (b) Limitation The total area of land subject to a competitive lease under this section shall not exceed 2,560 acres. (c) Terms and requirements All terms and requirements for competitive leases under this section shall be the same as if the leases were issued noncompetitively under section 103(c). 105. Small miner’s lease (a) In general The Secretary may issue a small miner’s lease to a qualified small miner that applies, under such regulations as the Secretary may issue, including conditions to require diligent development of such lease and to ensure protection of surface resources and ground water. (b) Exclusive right A small miner’s lease shall give the lessee the exclusive right to prospect for hardrock minerals for 3 years on not more than 200 acres of contiguous or noncontiguous Federal land. (c) Application fee The