Notwithstanding any other provision of the Geothermal Resources Act, at any time within ninety days following the effective date of the Geothermal Resources Act, any person who held prior to January 1, 1967 and who holds on the effective date of the Geothermal Resources Act, a general mining lease issued by the commissioner, upon showing to the satisfaction of the commissioner that the application or general mining lease was made or issued to develop geothermal resources, may apply for and receive a lease pursuant to the Geothermal Resources Act covering the same land having priority dating from the date of filing or issuance of the original application or general mining lease. The lease preference pursuant to this section shall be accomplished in accordance with procedures prescribed by regulations of the commissioner.