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Title 30, Mineral Lands and MiningRelease 119-110

§1262 Coal Exploration Permits

Title 30 › CHAPTER 25 — SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION › SUBCHAPTER V — CONTROL OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF SURFACE COAL MINING › § 1262

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Coal exploration that substantially disturbs the natural land surface must follow rules set by the agency in charge. Before any exploration starts, the person must file a notice with the agency that says where and when they will explore. The rules must also require that any disturbed land — like pits, roads, drill holes, and sites for equipment — be restored under the performance standards in section 1265. Trade secrets or private business figures sent to the agency stay confidential. Anyone who breaks these rules faces penalties under section 1268. No operator may remove more than 250 tons of coal under an exploration permit without the agency’s written approval. Coal exploration on Federal land is governed by section 4 of the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1975 (90 Stat. 1085).

Full Legal Text

Title 30, §1262

Mineral Lands and Mining, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Regulations; contents
Each State or Federal program shall include a requirement that coal exploration operations which substantially disturb the natural land surface be conducted in accordance with exploration regulations issued by the regulatory authority. Such regulations shall include, at a minimum (1) the requirement that prior to conducting any exploration under this section, any person must file with the regulatory authority notice of intention to explore and such notice shall include a description of the exploration area and the period of supposed exploration and (2) provisions for reclamation in accordance with the performance standards in section 1265 of this title of all lands disturbed in exploration, including excavations, roads, drill holes, and the removal of necessary facilities and equipment.
(b)Confidential information
Information submitted to the regulatory authority pursuant to this subsection as confidential concerning trade secrets or privileged commercial or financial information which relates to the competitive rights of the person or entity intended to explore the described area shall not be available for public examination.
(c)Penalties
Any person who conducts any coal exploration activities which substantially disturb the natural land surface in violation of this section or regulations issued pursuant thereto shall be subject to the provisions of section 1268 of this title.
(d)Limitation on removal of coal
No operator shall remove more than two hundred and fifty tons of coal pursuant to an exploration permit without the specific written approval of the regulatory authority.
(e)Law governing exploration of Federal lands
Coal exploration on Federal lands shall be governed by section 4 of the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1975 (90 Stat. 1085).

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

section 4 of the Federal Coal Leasing

Amendments

Act of 1975 (90 Stat. 1085), referred to in subsec. (e), is section 4 of Pub. L. 94–377, Aug. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1085, redesignated the Federal Coal Leasing

Amendments

Act of 1976, which amended section 201(b) of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

30 U.S.C. § 1262

Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110