The charge is the result of a former GEC vice president who turned whistle blower.

My personal opinion is:
If leases are obtained under collusion or other illegal activity, they should be immediately null and void. Then administrative procedure should impose fines and/or jail for perpetrators and impose a ban from those companies being eligible for the bid process x number of years.
This would send a clear message that it is a privilege to have government lands available for mineral development, but if you abuse the system, you forfeit your privilege, ill-gotten gains, and pay a penalty.