Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any exploration for minerals which is conducted solely by drilling or any other method which results in a drill hole of a diameter of six inches (6″) or less shall be regulated only under [former] chapter 9 [repealed] of this title.
Certain exploratory drilling regulated under Mineral Test Hole Regulatory Act exclusively
Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-228, under Tennessee Mineral Surface Mining Law of 1972.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-228