§187 Assignment or subletting of leases; relinquishment of rights under leases; conditions in leases for protection of diverse interests in operation of mines, wells, etc.; State laws not impaired

Summary

Leases under this law cannot be transferred or sublet to someone else unless the Secretary of the Interior agrees. The leaseholder may give up the whole lease or part of the leased area in writing if the Secretary allows it; if the Secretary accepts the give-up, the leaseholder is freed from future duties under the lease. Every lease must require careful, skillful operation and obey safety and anti-waste rules the Secretary sets. It must limit underground work to eight hours a day except in emergencies, bar anyone under 16 from working underground, let workers buy where they choose, pay wages at least twice a month in U.S. money, and ensure fair weighing of each miner’s coal. It may include other rules to keep sales fair, protect U.S. interests, prevent monopolies, and protect the public. These rules must not conflict with state law.