30 U.S.C. § 1270 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 25: SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION / Subchapter V: CONTROL OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF SURFACE COAL MINING / Section 1270: Citizens suits
Citizens suits
Status: in_force

(a) Civil action to compel compliance with this chapter

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, any person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected may commence a civil action on his own behalf to compel compliance with this chapter—

(1) against the United States or any other governmental instrumentality or agency to the extent permitted by the eleventh amendment to the Constitution which is alleged to be in violation of the provisions of this chapter or of any rule, regulation, order or permit issued pursuant thereto, or against any other person who is alleged to be in violation of any rule, regulation, order or permit issued pursuant to this subchapter; or

(2) against the Secretary or the appropriate State regulatory authority to the extent permitted by the eleventh amendment to the Constitution where there is alleged a failure of the Secretary or the appropriate State regulatory authority to perform any act or duty under this chapter which is not discretionary with the Secretary or with the appropriate State regulatory authority.

The district courts shall have jurisdiction, without regard to the amount in controversy or the citizenship of the parties.

(b) Limitation on bringing of action

No action may be commenced—

(1) under subsection (a)(1) of this section—

(A) prior to sixty days after the plaintiff has given notice in writing of the violation (i) to the Secretary, (ii) to the State in which the violation occurs, and (iii) to any alleged violator; or

(B) if the Secretary or the State has commenced and is diligently prosecuting a civil action in a court of the United States or a State to require compliance with the provisions of this chapter, or any rule, regulation, order, or permit issued pursuant to this chapter, but in any such action in a court of the United States any person may intervene as a matter of right; or

(2) under subsection (a)(2) of this section prior to sixty days after the plaintiff has given notice in writing of such action to the Secretary, in such manner as the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe, or to the appropriate State regulatory authority, except that such action may be brought immediately after such notification in the case where the violation or order complained of constitutes an imminent threat to the health or safety of the plaintiff or would immediately affect a legal interest of the plaintiff.

(c) Venue; intervention

(1) Any action respecting a violation of this chapter or the regulations thereunder may be brought only in the judicial district in which the surface coal mining operation complained of is located.

(2) In such action under this section, the Secretary, or the State regulatory authority, if not a party, may intervene as a matter of right.

(d) Costs; filing of bonds

The court, in issuing any final order in any action brought pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, may award costs of litigation (including attorney and expert witness fees) to any party, whenever the court determines such award is appropriate. The court may, if a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction is sought require the filing of a bond or equivalent security in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

(e) Effect on other enforcement methods

Nothing in this section shall restrict any right which any person (or class of persons) may have under any statute or common law to seek enforcement of any of the provisions of this chapter and the regulations thereunder, or to seek any other relief (including relief against the Secretary or the appropriate State regulatory authority).

(f) Action for damages

Any person who is injured in his person or property through the violation by any operator of any rule, regulation, order, or permit issued pursuant to this chapter may bring an action for damages (including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees) only in the judicial district in which the surface coal mining operation complained of is located. Nothing in this subsection shall affect the rights established by or limits imposed under State Workmen's Compensation laws.

(Pub. L. 95–87, title V, §520, Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 503.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, referred to in subsec. (d), are set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
30 U.S.C. § 1267 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 25: SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION / Subchapter V: CONTROL OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF SURFACE COAL MINING / Section 1267: Inspections and monitoring
Inspections and monitoring
Status: in_force

(a) Inspections of surface coal mining and reclamation operations

The Secretary shall cause to be made such inspections of any surface coal mining and reclamation operations as are necessary to evaluate the administration of approved State programs, or to develop or enforce any Federal program, and for such purposes authorized representatives of the Secretary shall have a right of entry to, upon, or through any surface coal mining and reclamation operations.

(b) Records and reports; monitoring systems; evaluation of results

For the purpose of developing or assisting in the development, administration, and enforcement of any approved State or Federal program under this chapter or in the administration and enforcement of any permit under this chapter, or of determining whether any person is in violation of any requirement of any such State or Federal program or any other requirement of this chapter—

(1) the regulatory authority shall require any permittee to (A) establish and maintain appropriate records, (B) make monthly reports to the regulatory authority, (C) install, use, and maintain any necessary monitoring equipment or methods, (D) evaluate results in accordance with such methods, at such locations, intervals, and in such manner as a regulatory authority shall prescribe, and (E) provide such other information relative to surface coal mining and reclamation operations as the regulatory authority deems reasonable and necessary;

(2) for those surface coal mining and reclamation operations which remove or disturb strata that serve as aquifers which significantly insure the hydrologic balance of water use either on or off the mining site, the regulatory authority shall specify those—

(A) monitoring sites to record the quantity and quality of surface drainage above and below the minesite as well as in the potential zone of influence;

(B) monitoring sites to record level, amount, and samples of ground water and aquifers potentially affected by the mining and also directly below the lowermost (deepest) coal seam to be mined;

(C) records of well logs and borehole data to be maintained; and

(D) monitoring sites to record precipitation.

The monitoring data collection and analysis required by this section shall be conducted according to standards and procedures set forth by the regulatory authority in order to assure their reliability and validity; and

(3) the authorized representatives of the regulatory authority, without advance notice and upon presentation of appropriate credentials (A) shall have the right of entry to, upon, or through any surface coal mining and reclamation operations or any premises in which any records required to be maintained under paragraph (1) of this subsection are located; and (B) may at reasonable times, and without delay, have access to and copy any records, inspect any monitoring equipment or method of operation required under this chapter.

(c) Inspection intervals

The inspections by the regulatory authority shall (1) occur on an irregular basis averaging not less than one partial inspection per month and one complete inspection per calendar quarter for the surface coal mining and reclamation operation covered by each permit; (2) occur without prior notice to the permittee or his agents or employees except for necessary onsite meetings with the permittee; and (3) include the filing of inspection reports adequate to enforce the requirements of and to carry out the terms and purposes of this chapter.

(d) Maintenance of sign

Each permittee shall conspicuously maintain at the entrances to the surface coal mining and reclamation operations a clearly visible sign which sets forth the name, business address, and phone number of the permittee and the permit number of the surface coal mining and reclamation operations.

(e) Violations

Each inspector, upon detection of each violation of any requirement of any State or Federal program or of this chapter, shall forthwith inform the operator in writing, and shall report in writing any such violation to the regulatory authority.

(f) Availability of information to public

Copies of any records, reports, inspection materials, or information obtained under this subchapter by the regulatory authority shall be made immediately available to the public at central and sufficient locations in the county, multicounty, and State area of mining so that they are conveniently available to residents in the areas of mining.

(g) Conflict of interest; penalty; publication of regulations; report to Congress

No employee of the State regulatory authority performing any function or duty under this chapter shall have a direct or indirect financial interest in any underground or surface coal mining operation. Whoever knowingly violates the provisions of this subsection shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $2,500, or by imprisonment of not more than one year, or by both. The Secretary shall (1) within sixty days after August 3, 1977, publish in the Federal Register, in accordance with section 553 of title 5, regulations to establish methods by which the provisions of this subsection will be monitored and enforced by the Secretary and such State regulatory authority, including appropriate provisions for the filing by such employees and the review of statements and supplements thereto concerning any financial interest which may be affected by this subsection, and (2) report to the Congress as part of the Annual Report (section 1296 of this title) on actions taken and not taken during the preceding year under this subsection.

(h) Review; procedures for inspections

(1) Any person who is or may be adversely affected by a surface mining operation may notify the Secretary or any representative of the Secretary responsible for conducting the inspection, in writing, of any violation of this chapter which he has reason to believe exists at the surface mining site. The Secretary shall, by regulation, establish procedures for informal review of any refusal by a representative of the Secretary to issue a citation with respect to any such alleged violation. The Secretary shall furnish such persons requesting the review a written statement of the reasons for the Secretary's final disposition of the case.

(2) The Secretary shall also, by regulation, establish procedures to insure that adequate and complete inspections are made. Any such person may notify the Secretary of any failure to make such inspections, after which the Secretary shall determine whether adequate and complete inspections have been made. The Secretary shall furnish such persons a written statement of the reasons for the Secretary's determination that adequate and complete inspections have or have not been conducted.

(Pub. L. 95–87, title V, §517, Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 498.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Termination of Reporting Requirements

For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions in subsec. (g) of this section relating to requirement to report to Congress on actions taken and not taken under subsec. (g), see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and page 109 of House Document No. 103–7.
30 U.S.C. § 667 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 18: COAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT / Section 667: Repealed. Pub. L. 109-58, title X, §1009(a)(1)(C), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 934
Repealed. Pub. L. 109-58, title X, §1009(a)(1)(C), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 934
Status: repealed

Section, Pub. L. 86–599, §7, July 7, 1960, 74 Stat. 337, related to reports to President and Congress.
30 U.S.C. § 1237 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 25: SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION / Subchapter IV: ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATIONS / Section 1237: Acquisition and reclamation of land adversely affected by past coal mining practices
Acquisition and reclamation of land adversely affected by past coal mining practices
Status: in_force

(a) Findings of fact; notice; right of entry

If the Secretary or the State pursuant to an approved State program, makes a finding of fact that—

(1) land or water resources have been adversely affected by past coal mining practices; and

(2) the adverse effects are at a stage where, in the public interest, action to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent should be taken; and

(3) the owners of the land or water resources where entry must be made to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent the adverse effects of past coal mining practices are not known, or readily available; or

(4) the owners will not give permission for the United States, the States, political subdivisions, their agents, employees, or contractors to enter upon such property to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent the adverse effects of past coal mining practices;

then, upon giving notice by mail to the owners if known or if not known by posting notice upon the premises and advertising once in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality in which the land lies, the Secretary, his agents, employees, or contractors, or the State pursuant to an approved State program, shall have the right to enter upon the property adversely affected by past coal mining practices and any other property to have access to such property to do all things necessary or expedient to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent the adverse effects. Such entry shall be construed as an exercise of the police power for the protection of public health, safety, and general welfare and shall not be construed as an act of condemnation of property nor of trespass thereon. The moneys expended for such work and the benefits accruing to any such premises so entered upon shall be chargeable against such land and shall mitigate or offset any claim in or any action brought by any owner of any interest in such premises for any alleged damages by virtue of such entry: Provided, however, That this provision is not intended to create new rights of action or eliminate existing immunities.

(b) Studies or exploratory work

The Secretary, his agents, employees, or contractors or the State pursuant to an approved State program, shall have the right to enter upon any property for the purpose of conducting studies or exploratory work to determine the existence of adverse effects of past coal mining practices and to determine the feasibility of restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of such adverse effects. Such entry shall be construed as an exercise of the police power for the protection of public health, safety, and general welfare and shall not be construed as an act of condemnation of property nor trespass thereon.

(c) Requirements for acquisition of affected land

The Secretary or the State pursuant to an approved State program, may acquire any land, by purchase, donation, or condemnation, which is adversely affected by past coal mining practices if the Secretary determines that acquisition of such land is necessary to successful reclamation and that—

(1) the acquired land, after restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices, will serve recreation and historic purposes, conservation and reclamation purposes or provide open space benefits; and

(2) permanent facilities such as a treatment plant or a relocated stream channel will be constructed on the land for the restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices; or

(3) acquisition of coal refuse disposal sites and all coal refuse thereon will serve the purposes of this subchapter or that public ownership is desirable to meet emergency situations and prevent recurrences of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices.

(d) Title to affected land; value

Title to all lands acquired pursuant to this section shall be in the name of the United States or, if acquired by a State pursuant to an approved program, title shall be in the name of the State. The price paid for land acquired under this section shall reflect the market value of the land as adversely affected by past coal mining practices.

(e) State participation; grants

States are encouraged as part of their approved State programs, to reclaim abandoned and unreclaimed mined lands within their boundaries and, if necessary, to acquire or to transfer such lands to the Secretary or the appropriate State regulatory authority under appropriate Federal regulations. The Secretary is authorized to make grants on a matching basis to States in such amounts as he deems appropriate for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this subchapter but in no event shall any grant exceed 90 per centum of the cost of acquisition of the lands for which the grant is made. When a State has made any such land available to the Federal Government under this subchapter, such State shall have a preference right to purchase such lands after reclamation at fair market value less the State portion of the original acquisition price. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of subsection (c), reclaimed land may be sold to the State or local government in which it is located at a price less than fair market value, which in no case shall be less than the cost to the United States of the purchase and reclamation of the land, as negotiated by the Secretary, to be used for a valid public purpose. If any land sold to a State or local government under this paragraph is not used for a valid public purpose as specified by the Secretary in the terms of the sales agreement then all right, title, and interest in such land shall revert to the United States. Money received from such sale shall be deposited in the fund.

(f) Rules and regulations

The Secretary, in formulating regulations for making grants to the States to acquire land pursuant to this section, shall specify that acquired land meet the criteria provided for in subsections (c) and (d) of this section. The Secretary may provide by regulation that money derived from the lease, rental, or user charges of such acquired land and facilities thereon will be deposited in the fund.

(g) Public sale; notice and hearing

(1) Where land acquired pursuant to this section is deemed to be suitable for industrial, commercial, residential, or recreational development, the Secretary may sell or authorize the States to sell such land by public sale under a system of competitive bidding, at not less than fair market value and under such other regulations promulgated to insure that such lands are put to proper use consistent with local and State land use plans, if any, as determined by the Secretary.

(2) The Secretary or the State pursuant to an approved State program, when requested after appropriate public notice shall hold a public hearing, with the appropriate notice, in the county or counties or the appropriate subdivisions of the State in which lands acquired pursuant to this section are located. The hearings shall be held at a time which shall afford local citizens and governments the maximum opportunity to participate in the decision concerning the use or disposition of the lands after restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices.

(h) Construction or rehabilitation of housing for disabled, displaced, or dislocated persons; grants

In addition to the authority to acquire land under subsection (d) of this section the Secretary is authorized to use money in the fund to acquire land by purchase, donation, or condemnation, and to reclaim and transfer acquired land to any State or to a political subdivision thereof, or to any person, firm, association, or corporation, if he determines that such is an integral and necessary element of an economically feasible plan for the project to construct or rehabilitate housing for persons disabled as the result of employment in the mines or work incidental thereto, persons displaced by acquisition of land pursuant to this section, or persons dislocated as the result of adverse effects of coal mining practices which constitute an emergency as provided in section 1240 of this title or persons dislocated as the result of natural disasters or catastrophic failures from any cause. Such activities shall be accomplished under such terms and conditions as the Secretary shall require, which may include transfers of land with or without monetary consideration: Provided, That, to the extent that the consideration is below the fair market value of the land transferred, no portion of the difference between the fair market value and the consideration shall accrue as a profit to such persons, firm, association, or corporation. No part of the funds provided under this subchapter may be used to pay the actual construction costs of housing. The Secretary may carry out the purposes of this subsection directly or he may make grants and commitments for grants, and may advance money under such terms and conditions as he may require to any State, or any department, agency, or instrumentality of a State, or any public body or nonprofit organization designated by a State.

(Pub. L. 95–87, title IV, §407, Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 462; Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, §6012(d)(4)–(7), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–298.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1990—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–508, §6012(d)(4), (5), substituted a semicolon for the period at end of par. (4) and "then, upon giving notice" for "Then, upon giving notice" in concluding provisions.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–508, §6012(d)(6), substituted "paragraph (1) of subsection (c)" for "paragraph (1), of this subsection".

Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 101–508, §6012(d)(7), substituted "use or" for "use of" before "disposition".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 101–508 effective Oct. 1, 1991, see section 6014 of Pub. L. 101–508 set out as a note under section 1231 of this title.
30 U.S.C. § 956 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 22: MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH / Subchapter V: ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS / Section 956: Applicability of administrative procedure provisions
Applicability of administrative procedure provisions
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the provisions of sections 551 to 559 and sections 701 to 706 of title 5 shall not apply to the making of any order, notice, or decision made pursuant to this chapter, or to any proceeding for the review thereof.

(Pub. L. 91–173, title V, §507, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 803.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this Act", meaning Pub. L. 91–173, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 742, known as the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 801 of this title and Tables.
30 U.S.C. § 802 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 22: MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH / Section 802: Definitions
Definitions
Status: in_force

For the purpose of this chapter, the term—

(a) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Labor or his delegate;

(b) "commerce" means trade, traffic, commerce, transportation, or communication among the several States, or between a place in a State and any place outside thereof, or within the District of Columbia or a possession of the United States, or between points in the same State but through a point outside thereof;

(c) "State" includes a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands;

(d) "operator" means any owner, lessee, or other person who operates, controls, or supervises a coal or other mine or any independent contractor performing services or construction at such mine;

(e) "agent" means any person charged with responsibility for the operation of all or a part of a coal or other mine or the supervision of the miners in a coal or other mine;

(f) "person" means any individual, partnership, association, corporation, firm, subsidiary of a corporation, or other organization;

(g) "miner" means any individual working in a coal or other mine;

(h)(1) "coal or other mine" means (A) an area of land from which minerals are extracted in nonliquid form or, if in liquid form, are extracted with workers underground, (B) private ways and roads appurtenant to such area, and (C) lands, excavations, underground passageways, shafts, slopes, tunnels and workings, structures, facilities, equipment, machines, tools, or other property including impoundments, retention dams, and tailings ponds, on the surface or underground, used in, or to be used in, or resulting from, the work of extracting such minerals from their natural deposits in nonliquid form, or if in liquid form, with workers underground, or used in, or to be used in, the milling of such minerals, or the work of preparing coal or other minerals, and includes custom coal preparation facilities. In making a determination of what constitutes mineral milling for purposes of this chapter, the Secretary shall give due consideration to the convenience of administration resulting from the delegation to one Assistant Secretary of all authority with respect to the health and safety of miners employed at one physical establishment;

(2) For purposes of subchapters II, III, and IV, "coal mine" means an area of land and all structures, facilities, machinery, tools, equipment, shafts, slopes, tunnels, excavations, and other property, real or personal, placed upon, under, or above the surface of such land by any person, used in, or to be used in, or resulting from, the work of extracting in such area bituminous coal, lignite, or anthracite from its natural deposits in the earth by any means or method, and the work of preparing the coal so extracted, and includes custom coal preparation facilities;

(i) "work of preparing the coal" means the breaking, crushing, sizing, cleaning, washing, drying, mixing, storing, and loading of bituminous coal, lignite, or anthracite, and such other work of preparing such coal as is usually done by the operator of the coal mine;

(j) "imminent danger" means the existence of any condition or practice in a coal or other mine which could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm before such condition or practice can be abated;

(k) "accident" includes a mine explosion, mine ignition, mine fire, or mine inundation, or injury to, or death of, any person;

(l) "mandatory health or safety standard" means the interim mandatory health or safety standards established by subchapters II and III of this chapter, and the standards promulgated pursuant to subchapter I of this chapter;

(m) "Panel" means the Interim Compliance Panel established by this chapter; and

(n) "Administration" means the Mine Safety and Health Administration in the Department of Labor.

(o) "Commission" means the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.

(Pub. L. 91–173, §3, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 743; Pub. L. 95–164, title I, §102(b), Nov. 9, 1977, 91 Stat. 1290.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this Act", meaning Pub. L. 91–173, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 742, known as the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 801 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1977—Par. (a). Pub. L. 95–164, §102(b)(1), substituted "Secretary of Labor" for "Secretary of the Interior".

Par. (d). Pub. L. 95–164, §102(b)(2), (4), substituted "supervises a coal or other mine or any independent contractor performing services or construction at such mine" for "supervises a coal mine".

Pars. (e), (g). Pub. L. 95–164, §102(b)(4), inserted "or other" after "coal" wherever appearing.

Par. (h). Pub. L. 95–164, §102(b)(3), added subpar. (1), designated existing provisions as subpar. (2), and inserted "For purposes of subchapters II, III, and IV of this chapter," after "(2)".

Par. (j). Pub. L. 95–164, §102(b)(4), inserted "or other" after "coal".

Pars. (n), (o). Pub. L. 95–164, §102(b)(5), added pars. (n) and (o).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1977 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–164 effective 120 days after Nov. 9, 1977, except as otherwise provided, see section 307 of Pub. L. 95–164, set out as a note under section 801 of this title.

Executive Documents

Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.
30 U.S.C. § 868 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 22: MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH / Subchapter III: INTERIM MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS FOR UNDERGROUND COAL MINES / Section 868: Underground high-voltage distribution
Underground high-voltage distribution
Status: in_force

(a) Circuits entering underground areas of mines; circuit breakers

High-voltage circuits entering the underground area of any coal mine shall be protected by suitable circuit breakers of adequate interrupting capacity which are properly tested and maintained as prescribed by the Secretary. Such breakers shall be equipped with devices to provide protection against under-voltage, grounded phase, short circuit, and overcurrent.

(b) Circuits extending underground and supplying equipment; direct neutral grounds; ground conductors for frames, exceptions; location of disconnection devices, exceptions

High-voltage circuits extending underground and supplying portable, mobile, or stationary high-voltage equipment shall contain either a direct or derived neutral which shall be grounded through a suitable resistor at the source transformers, and a grounding circuit, originating at the grounded side of the grounding resistor, shall extend along with the power conductors and serve as a grounding conductor for the frames of all high-voltage equipment supplied power from that circuit, except that the Secretary or his authorized representative may permit ungrounded high-voltage circuits to be extended underground to feed stationary electrical equipment if such circuits are either steel armored or installed in grounded, rigid steel conduit throughout their entire length, and upon his finding that such exception does not pose a hazard to the miners. Within one hundred feet of the point on the surface where high-voltage circuits enter the underground portion of the mine, disconnecting devices shall be installed and so equipped or designed in such a manner that it can be determined by visual observation that the power is disconnected, except that the Secretary or his authorized representative may permit such devices to be installed at a greater distance from such area of the mine if he determines, based on existing physical conditions, that such installation will be more accessible at a greater distance and will not pose any hazard to the miners.

(c) Grounding resistors

The grounding resistor, where required, shall be of the proper ohmic value to limit the voltage drop in the grounding circuit external to the resistor to not more than 100 volts under fault conditions. The grounding resistor shall be rated for maximum fault current continuously and insulated from ground for a voltage equal to the phase-to-phase voltage of the system.

(d) Inclusion of fail safe ground check circuits in resistance grounded systems; operative functions; time extension

Six months after the operative date of this subchapter, high-voltage, resistance grounded systems shall include a fail safe ground check circuit to monitor continuously the grounding circuit to assure continuity and the fail safe ground check circuit shall cause the circuit breaker to open when either the ground or pilot check wire is broken, or other no less effective device approved by the Secretary or his authorized representative to assure such continuity, except that an extension of time, not in excess of twelve months, may be permitted by the Secretary on a mine-by-mine basis if he determines that such equipment is not available.

(e) Underground cables used in resistance grounded systems; metallic shields for power conductors; standards; splices

(1) Underground high-voltage cables used in resistance grounded systems shall be equipped with metallic shields around each power conductor, with one or more ground conductors having a total cross-sectional area of not less than one-half the power conductor, and with an insulated internal or external conductor not smaller than No. 8 (AWG) for the ground continuity check circuit.

(2) All such cables shall be adequate for the intended current and voltage. Splices made in such cables shall provide continuity of all components.

(f) Couplers for power circuits; guidelines for construction

Couplers that are used with medium-voltage or high-voltage power circuits shall be of the three-phase type with a full metallic shell, except that the Secretary may permit, under such guidelines as he may prescribe, no less effective couplers constructed of materials other than metal. Couplers shall be adequate for the voltage and current expected. All exposed metal on the metallic couplers shall be grounded to the ground conductor in the cable. The coupler shall be constructed so that the ground check continuity conductor shall be broken first and the ground conductors shall be broken last when the coupler is being uncoupled.

(g) Connections of single-phase loads

Single-phase loads, such as transformer primaries, shall be connected phase to phase.

(h) Installation of underground transmission cables

All underground high-voltage transmission cables shall be installed only in regularly inspected air courses and haulageways, and shall be covered, buried, or placed so as to afford protection against damage, guarded where men regularly work or pass under them unless they are six and one-half feet or more above the floor or rail, securely anchored, properly insulated, and guarded at ends, and covered, insulated, or placed to prevent contact with trolley wires and other low-voltage circuits.

(i) Disconnection devices; location; visual observation of position of switch

Disconnecting devices shall be installed at the beginning of branch lines in high-voltage circuits and equipped or designed in such a manner that it can be determined by visual observation that the circuit is deenergized when the switches are open.

(j) Circuit breakers and disconnection devices; markings

Circuit breakers and disconnecting switches underground shall be marked for identification.

(k) Splices in cables used as trailing cables; terminations and splices in other cables

In the case of high-voltage cables used as trailing cables, temporary splices shall not be used and all permanent splices shall be made in accordance with section 866(e) of this title. Terminations and splices in all other high-voltage cables shall be made in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

(l) Grounding of frames of underground equipment

Frames, supporting structures, and enclosures of stationary, portable, or mobile underground high-voltage equipment and all high-voltage equipment supplying power to such equipment receiving power from resistance grounded systems shall be effectively grounded to the high-voltage ground.

(m) Moving of power centers, transformers, and cables; deenergizing; exceptions; safety guidelines; record of examinations

Power centers and portable transformers shall be deenergized before they are moved from one location to another, except that, when equipment powered by sources other than such centers or transformers is not available, the Secretary may permit such centers and transformers to be moved while energized, if he determines that another equivalent or greater hazard may otherwise be created, and if they are moved under the supervision of a qualified person, and if such centers and transformers are examined prior to such movement by such person and found to be grounded by methods approved by an authorized representative of the Secretary and otherwise protected from hazards to the miner. A record shall be kept of such examinations. High-voltage cables, other than trailing cables, shall not be moved or handled at any time while energized, except that, when such centers and transformers are moved while energized as permitted under this subsection, energized high-voltage cables attached to such centers and transformers may be moved only by a qualified person and the operator of such mine shall require that such person wear approved and tested insulated wireman's gloves.

(Pub. L. 91–173, title III, §308, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 780.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

For the operative date of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (d), see section 509 of Pub. L. 91–173, set out as an Effective Date note under section 801 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section operative 90 days after Dec. 30, 1969, except to the extent an earlier date is specifically provided for in Pub. L. 91–173, see section 509 of Pub. L. 91–173, set out as a note under section 801 of this title.
30 U.S.C. § 27 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 2: MINERAL LANDS AND REGULATIONS IN GENERAL / Section 27: Mining tunnels; right to possession of veins on line with; abandonment of right
Mining tunnels; right to possession of veins on line with; abandonment of right
Status: in_force

Where a tunnel is run for the development of a vein or lode, or for the discovery of mines, the owners of such tunnel shall have the right of possession of all veins or lodes within three thousand feet from the face of such tunnel on the line thereof, not previously known to exist, discovered in such tunnel, to the same extent as if discovered from the surface; and locations on the line of such tunnel of veins or lodes not appearing on the surface, made by other parties after the commencement of the tunnel, and while the same is being prosecuted with reasonable diligence, shall be invalid; but failure to prosecute the work on the tunnel for six months shall be considered as an abandonment of the right to all undiscovered veins on the line of such tunnel.

(R.S. §2323.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. §2323 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, §4, 17 Stat. 92.

Short Title

This section is popularly known as the Tunnel Site Act.
30 U.S.C. § 1702 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 29: OIL AND GAS ROYALTY MANAGEMENT / Section 1702: Definitions
Definitions
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the term—

(1) "Federal land" means all land and interests in land owned by the United States which are subject to the mineral leasing laws, including mineral resources or mineral estates reserved to the United States in the conveyance of a surface or nonmineral estate;

(2) "Indian allottee" means any Indian for whom land or an interest in land is held in trust by the United States or who holds title subject to Federal restriction against alienation;

(3) "Indian lands" means any lands or interest in lands of an Indian tribe or an Indian allottee held in trust by the United States or which is subject to Federal restriction against alienation or which is administered by the United States pursuant to section 1613(g) of title 43, including mineral resources and mineral estates reserved to an Indian tribe or an Indian allottee in the conveyance of a surface or nonmineral estate, except that such term does not include any lands subject to the provisions of section 3 of the Act of June 28, 1906 (34 Stat. 539);

(4) "Indian tribe" means any Indian tribe, band, nation, pueblo, community, rancheria, colony, or other group of Indians, including the Metlakatla Indian Community of Annette Island Reserve, for which any land or interest in land is held by the United States in trust or which is subject to Federal restriction against alienation or which is administered by the United States pursuant to section 1613(g) of title 43;

(5) "lease" means any contract, profit-share arrangement, joint venture, or other agreement issued or approved by the United States under a mineral leasing law that authorizes exploration for, extraction of, or removal of oil or gas;

(6) "lease site" means any lands or submerged lands, including the surface of a severed mineral estate, on which exploration for, or extraction or removal of, oil or gas is authorized pursuant to a lease;

(7) "lessee" means any person to whom the United States issues an oil and gas lease or any person to whom operating rights in a lease have been assigned;

(8) "mineral leasing law" means any Federal law administered by the Secretary authorizing the disposition under lease of oil or gas;

(9) "oil or gas" means any oil or gas originating from, or allocated to, the Outer Continental Shelf, Federal, or Indian lands;

(10) "Outer Continental Shelf" has the same meaning as provided in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (Public Law 95–372);

(11) "operator" means any person, including a lessee, who has control of, or who manages operations on, an oil and gas lease site on Federal or Indian lands or on the Outer Continental Shelf;

(12) "person" means any individual, firm, corporation, association, partnership, consortium, or joint venture;

(13) "production" means those activities which take place for the removal of oil or gas, including such removal, field operations, transfer of oil or gas off the lease site, operation monitoring, maintenance, and workover drilling;

(14) "royalty" means any payment based on the value or volume of production which is due to the United States or an Indian tribe or an Indian allottee on production of oil or gas from the Outer Continental Shelf, Federal, or Indian lands, or any minimum royalty owed to the United States or an Indian tribe or an Indian allottee under any provision of a lease;

(15) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior or his designee;

(16) "State" means the several States of the Union, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the territories and possessions of the United States, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands;

(17) "adjustment" means an amendment to a previously filed report on an obligation, and any additional payment or credit, if any, applicable thereto, to rectify an underpayment or overpayment on an obligation;

(18) "administrative proceeding" means any Department of the Interior agency process in which a demand, decision or order issued by the Secretary or a delegated State is subject to appeal or has been appealed;

(19) "assessment" means any fee or charge levied or imposed by the Secretary or a delegated State other than—

(A) the principal amount of any royalty, minimum royalty, rental bonus, net profit share or proceed of sale;

(B) any interest; or

(C) any civil or criminal penalty;

(20) "commence" means—

(A) with respect to a judicial proceeding, the service of a complaint, petition, counterclaim, cross claim, or other pleading seeking affirmative relief or seeking credit or recoupment: Provided, That if the Secretary commences a judicial proceeding against a designee, the Secretary shall give notice of that commencement to the lessee who designated the designee, but the Secretary is not required to give notice to other lessees who may be liable pursuant to section 1712(a) of this title, for the obligation that is the subject of the judicial proceeding; or

(B) with respect to a demand, the receipt by the Secretary or a delegated State or a lessee or its designee (with written notice to the lessee who designated the designee) of the demand;

(21) "credit" means the application of an overpayment (in whole or in part) against an obligation which has become due to discharge, cancel or reduce the obligation;

(22) "delegated State" means a State which, pursuant to an agreement or agreements under section 1735 of this title, performs authorities, duties, responsibilities, or activities of the Secretary;

(23) "demand" means—

(A) an order to pay issued by the Secretary or the applicable delegated State to a lessee or its designee (with written notice to the lessee who designated the designee) that has a reasonable basis to conclude that the obligation in the amount of the demand is due and owing; or

(B) a separate written request by a lessee or its designee which asserts an obligation due the lessee or its designee that provides a reasonable basis to conclude that the obligation in the amount of the demand is due and owing, but does not mean any royalty or production report, or any information contained therein, required by the Secretary or a delegated State;

(24) "designee" means the person designated by a lessee pursuant to section 1712(a) of this title, with such written designation effective on the date such designation is received by the Secretary and remaining in effect until the Secretary receives notice in writing that the designation is modified or terminated;

(25) "obligation" means—

(A) any duty of the Secretary or, if applicable, a delegated State—

(i) to take oil or gas royalty in kind; or

(ii) to pay, refund, offset, or credit monies including (but not limited to)—

(I) the principal amount of any royalty, minimum royalty, rental, bonus, net profit share or proceed of sale; or

(II) any interest; and

(B) any duty of a lessee or its designee (subject to the provisions of section 1712(a) of this title)—

(i) to deliver oil or gas royalty in kind; or

(ii) to pay, offset or credit monies including (but not limited to)—

(I) the principal amount of any royalty, minimum royalty, rental, bonus, net profit share or proceed of sale;

(II) any interest;

(III) any penalty; or

(IV) any assessment,

 which arises from or relates to any lease administered by the Secretary for, or any mineral leasing law related to, the exploration, production and development of oil or gas on Federal lands or the Outer Continental Shelf;

(26) "order to pay" means a written order issued by the Secretary or the applicable delegated State to a lessee or its designee (with notice to the lessee who designated the designee) which—

(A) asserts a specific, definite, and quantified obligation claimed to be due, and

(B) specifically identifies the obligation by lease, production month and monetary amount of such obligation claimed to be due and ordered to be paid, as well as the reason or reasons such obligation is claimed to be due, but such term does not include any other communication or action by or on behalf of the Secretary or a delegated State;

(27) "overpayment" means any payment by a lessee or its designee in excess of an amount legally required to be paid on an obligation and includes the portion of any estimated payment for a production month that is in excess of the royalties due for that month;

(28) "payment" means satisfaction, in whole or in part, of an obligation;

(29) "penalty" means a statutorily authorized civil fine levied or imposed for a violation of this chapter, any mineral leasing law, or a term or provision of a lease administered by the Secretary;

(30) "refund" means the return of an overpayment;

(31) "State concerned" means, with respect to a lease, a State which receives a portion of royalties or other payments under the mineral leasing laws from such lease;

(32) "underpayment" means any payment or nonpayment by a lessee or its designee that is less than the amount legally required to be paid on an obligation; and

(33) "United States" means the United States Government and any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof, the several States, the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United States.

(Pub. L. 97–451, §3, Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2448; Pub. L. 92–203, §29(f)(1), as added Pub. L. 100–241, §15, Feb. 3, 1988, 101 Stat. 1813; Pub. L. 104–185, §2, Aug. 13, 1996, 110 Stat. 1700; Pub. L. 104–200, §1(1), Sept. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2421.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 3 of the Act of June 28, 1906 (34 Stat. 539), referred to in par. (3), is not classified to the Code.

"Outer Continental Shelf" as provided in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (Public Law 95–372), referred to in par. (10), is defined in section 1331(a) of Title 43, Public Lands.

Amendments

1996—Par. (7). Pub. L. 104–185, §2(1), amended par. (7) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (7) read as follows: " 'lessee' means any person to whom the United States, an Indian tribe, or an Indian allottee, issues a lease, or any person who has been assigned an obligation to make royalty or other payments required by the lease;".

Pars. (17) to (25). Pub. L. 104–185, §2(2), added pars. (17) to (25).

Par. (25)(B). Pub. L. 104–200, substituted "provisions of section 1712(a)" for "provision of section 1712(a)" in introductory provisions.

Pars. (26) to (33). Pub. L. 104–185, §2(2), added pars. (26) to (33).

1988—Pars. (3), (4). Pub. L. 92–203 inserted "or which is administered by the United States pursuant to section 1613(g) of title 43" after "alienation".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–185 applicable with respect to production of oil and gas after the first day of the month following Aug. 13, 1996, see section 11 of Pub. L. 104–185, set out as a note under section 1701 of this title.

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Pub. L. 92–203, §29(f)(2), as added by Pub. L. 100–241, §15, Feb. 3, 1988, 101 Stat. 1813, provided that: "The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall be effective as if originally included in section 3 of Public Law 97–451 [this section]."

Applicability of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–185 not applicable to any privately owned minerals or with respect to Indian lands, see sections 9 and 10 of Pub. L. 104–185, set out as a note under section 1701 of this title.

Executive Documents

Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.
30 U.S.C. § 602 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 15: SURFACE RESOURCES / Subchapter I: DISPOSAL OF MATERIALS ON PUBLIC LANDS / Section 602: Bidding; advertising and other notice; conditions for negotiation of contract
Bidding; advertising and other notice; conditions for negotiation of contract
Status: in_force

(a) The Secretary shall dispose of materials under this subchapter to the highest responsible qualified bidder after formal advertising and such other public notice as he deems appropriate: Provided, however, That the Secretary may authorize negotiation of a contract for the disposal of materials if—

(1) the contract is for the sale of less than two hundred fifty thousand board-feet of timber; or, if

(2) the contract is for the disposal of materials to be used in connection with a public works improvement program on behalf of a Federal, State or local governmental agency and the public exigency will not permit the delay incident to advertising; or, if

(3) the contract is for the disposal of property for which it is impracticable to obtain competition.

(b) Repealed. Pub. L. 96–470, title I, §102(a), Oct. 19, 1980, 94 Stat. 2237.

(July 31, 1947, ch. 406, §2, 61 Stat. 681; Pub. L. 87–689, §1, Sept. 25, 1962, 76 Stat. 587; Pub. L. 94–273, §20, Apr. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 379; Pub. L. 96–470, title I, §102(a), Oct. 19, 1980, 94 Stat. 2237.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1980—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 96–470 struck out subsec. (b) which required a report to be made to Congress on Apr. 1 and Oct. 1 of each year of the contracts made under subsec. (a)(2) and (3) during the period since the date of the last report, which report was to name each purchaser, furnish the appraised value of the material involved, state the amount of each contract, and describe the circumstances leading to the determination that the contract should be entered into by negotiation instead of competitive bidding after formal advertising.

1976—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–273 substituted "April" for "January" and "October" for "July".

1962—Pub. L. 87–689 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), substituted therein provisions requiring the Secretary to dispose of materials after formal advertising and such other public notice as he deems appropriate, and authorizing negotiation of a contract for the sale of less than 250,000 board-feet of timber, or for materials to be used in connection with public works improvement program for a Federal, State, or local governmental agency where the public exigency will not permit the delay of advertising, or for property for which it is impracticable to obtain competition, for provisions requiring publication of notice once a week for 4 consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation, and competitive bidding, in cases where the value was in excess of $1,000, and permitting disposal upon such notice and in such manner as he prescribed where the value was $1,000 or less, and added subsec. (b).

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of certain enforcement functions of Secretary or other appropriate officer or entity in Departments of Agriculture and the Interior under this subchapter to Federal Inspector of Office of Federal Inspector for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System, and subsequent transfer to Secretary of Energy, then to Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects, see note set out under section 601 of this title.
30 U.S.C. § 1465 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 26: DEEP SEABED HARD MINERAL RESOURCES / Subchapter III: ENFORCEMENT AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS / Section 1465: Liability of vessels
Liability of vessels
Status: in_force

Any vessel documented or numbered under the laws of the United States (except a public vessel engaged in noncommercial activities) which is used in any violation of this chapter, any regulation issued under this chapter, or any term, condition, or restriction of any license or permit issued under subchapter I shall be liable in rem for any civil penalty assessed or criminal fine imposed and may be proceeded against in any district court of the United States having jurisdiction thereof.

(Pub. L. 96–283, title III, §305, June 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 579.)
30 U.S.C. § 701 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 20: CONVEYANCES TO OCCUPANTS OF UNPATENTED MINING CLAIMS / Section 701: Authorization to convey; acreage limitations; qualified applicants; payment; "qualified officer of the United States" defined
Authorization to convey; acreage limitations; qualified applicants; payment; "qualified officer of the United States" defined
Status: in_force

The Secretary of the Interior may convey to any occupant of an unpatented mining claim which is determined by the Secretary to be invalid an interest, up to and including a fee simple, in and to an area within the claim of not more than (a) five acres or (b) the acreage actually occupied by him, whichever is less. The Secretary may make a like conveyance to any occupant of an unpatented mining claim who, after notice from a qualified officer of the United States that the claim is believed to be invalid, relinquishes to the United States all rights in and to such claim which he may have under the mining laws. Any conveyance authorized by this section, however, shall be made only to a qualified applicant, as that term is defined in section 702 of this title, who applies therefor within the period ending June 30, 1971, and upon payment of an amount established in accordance with section 705 of this title.

As used in this section, the term "qualified officer of the United States" means the Secretary of the Interior or an employee of the Department of the Interior so designated by him: Provided, That the Secretary may delegate his authority to designate qualified officers to the head of any other department or agency of the United States with respect to lands within the administrative jurisdiction of that department or agency.

(Pub. L. 87–851, §1, Oct. 23, 1962, 76 Stat. 1127; Pub. L. 90–111, §1, Oct. 23, 1967, 81 Stat. 311.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1967—Pub. L. 90–111 extended from Oct. 23, 1967, to June 30, 1971, the period in which qualified individuals shall apply for conveyances authorized by this section.
30 U.S.C. § 1441 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 26: DEEP SEABED HARD MINERAL RESOURCES / Subchapter II: TRANSITION TO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT / Section 1441: Declaration of Congressional intent
Declaration of Congressional intent
Status: in_force

It is the intent of Congress—

(1) that any international agreement to which the United States becomes a party should, in addition to promoting other national oceans objectives—

(A) provide assured and nondiscriminatory access, under reasonable terms and conditions, to the hard mineral resources of the deep seabed for United States citizens, and

(B) provide security of tenure by recognizing the rights of United States citizens who have undertaken exploration or commercial recovery under subchapter I before such agreement enters into force with respect to the United States to continue their operations under terms, conditions, and restrictions which do not impose significant new economic burdens upon such citizens with respect to such operations with the effect of preventing the continuation of such operations on a viable economic basis;

(2) that the extent to which any such international agreement conforms to the provisions of paragraph (1) should be determined by the totality of the provisions of such agreement, including, but not limited to, the practical implications for the security of investments of any discretionary powers granted to an international regulatory body, the structures and decisionmaking procedures of such body, the availability of impartial and effective procedures for the settlement of disputes, and any features that tend to discriminate against exploration and commercial recovery activities undertaken by United States citizens; and

(3) that this chapter should be transitional pending—

(A) the adoption of an international agreement at the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, and the entering into force of such agreement, or portions thereof, with respect to the United States, or

(B) if such adoption is not forthcoming, the negotiation of a multilateral or other treaty concerning the deep seabed, and the entering into force of such treaty with respect to the United States.

(Pub. L. 96–283, title II, §201, June 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 575.)
30 U.S.C. § 1901 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 31: MARINE MINERAL RESOURCES RESEARCH / Section 1901: Definitions
Definitions
Status: in_force

In this chapter:

(1) The term "contract" has the same meaning as "procurement contract" in section 6303 of title 31.

(2) The term "cooperative agreement" has the same meaning as in section 6305 of title 31.

(3) The term "eligible entity" means—

(A) a research or educational entity chartered or incorporated under Federal or State law;

(B) an individual who is a United States citizen; or

(C) a State or regional agency.

(4) The term "grant" has the same meaning as "grant agreement" in section 6304 of title 31.

(5) The term "in-kind contribution" means a noncash contribution provided by a non-Federal entity that directly benefits and is related to a specific project or program. An in-kind contribution may include real property, equipment, supplies, other expendable property, goods, and services.

(6) The term "marine mineral resource" means—

(A) sand and aggregates;

(B) placers;

(C) phosphates;

(D) manganese nodules;

(E) cobalt crusts;

(F) metal sulfides;

(G) for purposes of this section and sections 1902 through 1905 of this title only, methane hydrate; and

(H) other marine resources that are not—

(i) oil and gas;

(ii) fisheries; or

(iii) marine mammals.

(7) The term "methane hydrate" means—

(A) a methane clathrate that is in the form of a methane-water ice-like crystalline material and is stable and occurs naturally in deep-ocean and permafrost areas; and

(B) other natural gas hydrates found in association with deep-ocean and permafrost deposits of methane hydrate.

(8) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior.

(Pub. L. 91–631, title II, §201, as added Pub. L. 104–325, §2(3), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3994; amended Pub. L. 106–193, §4, May 2, 2000, 114 Stat. 236.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2000—Par. (6)(G), (H). Pub. L. 106–193, §4(1), added subpar. (G) and redesignated former subpar. (G) as (H).

Pars. (7), (8). Pub. L. 106–193, §4(2), (3), added par. (7) and redesignated former par. (7) as (8).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

Pub. L. 104–325, §1, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3994, provided that: "This Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the 'Marine Mineral Resources Research Act of 1996'."
30 U.S.C. § 1257 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 25: SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION / Subchapter V: CONTROL OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF SURFACE COAL MINING / Section 1257: Application requirements
Application requirements
Status: in_force

(a) Fee

Each application for a surface coal mining and reclamation permit pursuant to an approved State program or a Federal program under the provisions of this chapter shall be accompanied by a fee as determined by the regulatory authority. Such fee may be less than but shall not exceed the actual or anticipated cost of reviewing, administering, and enforcing such permit issued pursuant to a State or Federal program. The regulatory authority may develop procedures so as to enable the cost of the fee to be paid over the term of the permit.

(b) Submittal; contents

The permit application shall be submitted in a manner satisfactory to the regulatory authority and shall contain, among other things—

(1) the names and addresses of (A) the permit applicant; (B) every legal owner of record of the property (surface and mineral), to be mined; (C) the holders of record of any leasehold interest in the property; (D) any purchaser of record of the property under a real estate contract; and (E) the operator if he is a person different from the applicant; and (F) if any of these are business entities other than a single proprietor, the names and addresses of the principals, officers, and resident agent;

(2) the names and addresses of the owners of record of all surface and subsurface areas adjacent to any part of the permit area;

(3) a statement of any current or previous surface coal mining permits in the United States held by the applicant and the permit identification and each pending application;

(4) if the applicant is a partnership, corporation, association, or other business entity, the following where applicable: the names and addresses of every officer, partner, director, or person performing a function similar to a director, of the applicant, together with the name and address of any person owning, of record 10 per centum or more of any class of voting stock of the applicant and a list of all names under which the applicant, partner, or principal shareholder previously operated a surface mining operation within the United States within the five-year period preceding the date of submission of the application;

(5) a statement of whether the applicant, any subsidiary, affiliate, or persons controlled by or under common control with the applicant, has ever held a Federal or State mining permit which in the five-year period prior to the date of submission of the application has been suspended or revoked or has had a mining bond or similar security deposited in lieu of bond forefeited 1 and, if so, a brief explanation of the facts involved;

(6) a copy of the applicant's advertisement to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the proposed site at least once a week for four successive weeks, and which includes the ownership, a description of the exact location and boundaries of the proposed site sufficient so that the proposed operation is readily locatable by local residents, and the location of where the application is available for public inspection;

(7) a description of the type and method of coal mining operation that exists or is proposed, the engineering techniques proposed or used, and the equipment used or proposed to be used;

(8) the anticipated or actual starting and termination dates of each phase of the mining operation and number of acres of land to be affected;

(9) the applicant shall file with the regulatory authority on an accurate map or plan, to an appropriate scale, clearly showing the land to be affected as of the date of the application, the area of land within the permit area upon which the applicant has the legal right to enter and commence surface mining operations and shall provide to the regulatory authority a statement of those documents upon which the applicant bases his legal right to enter and commence surface mining operations on the area affected, and whether that right is the subject of pending court litigation: Provided, That nothing in this chapter shall be construed as vesting in the regulatory authority the jurisdiction to adjudicate property title disputes.2

(10) the name of the watershed and location of the surface stream or tributary into which surface and pit drainage will be discharged;

(11) a determination of the probable hydrologic consequences of the mining and reclamation operations, both on and off the mine site, with respect to the hydrologic regime, quantity and quality of water in surface and ground water systems including the dissolved and suspended solids under seasonal flow conditions and the collection of sufficient data for the mine site and surrounding areas so that an assessment can be made by the regulatory authority of the probable cumulative impacts of all anticipated mining in the area upon the hydrology of the area and particularly upon water availability: Provided, however, That this determination shall not be required until such time as hydrologic information on the general area prior to mining is made available from an appropriate Federal or State agency: Provided further, That the permit shall not be approved until such information is available and is incorporated into the application;

(12) when requested by the regulatory authority, the climatological factors that are peculiar to the locality of the land to be affected, including the average seasonal precipitation, the average direction and velocity of prevailing winds, and the seasonal temperature ranges;

(13) accurate maps to an appropriate scale clearly showing (A) the land to be affected as of the date of application and (B) all types of information set forth on topographical maps of the United States Geological Survey of a scale of 1:24,000 or 1:25,000 or larger, including all manmade features and significant known archeological sites existing on the date of application. Such a map or plan shall among other things specified by the regulatory authority show all boundaries of the land to be affected, the boundary lines and names of present owners of record of all surface areas abutting the permit area, and the location of all buildings within one thousand feet of the permit area;

(14) cross-section maps or plans of the land to be affected including the actual area to be mined, prepared by or under the direction of and certified by a qualified registered professional engineer, or professional geologist with assistance from experts in related fields such as land surveying and landscape architecture, showing pertinent elevation and location of test borings or core samplings and depicting the following information: the nature and depth of the various strata of overburden; the location of subsurface water, if encountered, and its quality; the nature and thickness of any coal or rider seam above the coal seam to be mined; the nature of the stratum immediately beneath the coal seam to be mined; all mineral crop lines and the strike and dip of the coal to be mined, within the area of land to be affected; existing or previous surface mining limits; the location and extent of known workings of any underground mines, including mine openings to the surface; the location of aquifers; the estimated elevation of the water table; the location of spoil, waste, or refuse areas and top-soil preservation areas; the location of all impoundments for waste or erosion control; any settling or water treatment facility; constructed or natural drainways and the location of any discharges to any surface body of water on the area of land to be affected or adjacent thereto; and profiles at appropriate cross sections of the anticipated final surface configuration that will be achieved pursuant to the operator's proposed reclamation plan;

(15) a statement of the result of test borings or core samplings from the permit area, including logs of the drill holes; the thickness of the coal seam found, an analysis of the chemical properties of such coal; the sulfur content of any coal seam; chemical analysis of potentially acid or toxic forming sections of the overburden; and chemical analysis of the stratum lying immediately underneath the coal to be mined except that the provisions of this paragraph (15) may be waived by the regulatory authority with respect to the specific application by a written determination that such requirements are unnecessary;

(16) for those lands in the permit application which a reconnaissance inspection suggests may be prime farm lands, a soil survey shall be made or obtained according to standards established by the Secretary of Agriculture in order to confirm the exact location of such prime farm lands, if any; and

(17) information pertaining to coal seams, test borings, core samplings, or soil samples as required by this section shall be made available to any person with an interest which is or may be adversely affected: Provided, That information which pertains only to the analysis of the chemical and physical properties of the coal (excepting information regarding such mineral or elemental content which is potentially toxic in the environment) shall be kept confidential and not made a matter of public record.

(c) Assistance to small coal operators

(1) If the regulatory authority finds that the probable total annual production at all locations of a coal surface mining operator will not exceed 300,000 tons, the cost of the following activities, which shall be performed by a qualified public or private laboratory or such other public or private qualified entity designated by the regulatory authority, shall be assumed by the regulatory authority upon the written request of the operator in connection with a permit application:

(A) The determination of probable hydrologic consequences required by subsection (b)(11), including the engineering analyses and designs necessary for the determination.

(B) The development of cross-section maps and plans required by subsection (b)(14).

(C) The geologic drilling and statement of results of test borings and core samplings required by subsection (b)(15).

(D) The collection of archaeological information required by subsection (b)(13) and any other archaeological and historical information required by the regulatory authority, and the preparation of plans necessitated thereby.

(E) Pre-blast surveys required by section 1265(b)(15)(E) of this title.

(F) The collection of site-specific resource information and production of protection and enhancement plans for fish and wildlife habitats and other environmental values required by the regulatory authority under this chapter.

(2) The Secretary shall provide or assume the cost of training coal operators that meet the qualifications stated in paragraph (1) concerning the preparation of permit applications and compliance with the regulatory program, and shall ensure that qualified coal operators are aware of the assistance available under this subsection.

(d) Reclamation plan

Each applicant for a permit shall be required to submit to the regulatory authority as part of the permit application a reclamation plan which shall meet the requirements of this chapter.

(e) Public inspection

Each applicant for a surface coal mining and reclamation permit shall file a copy of his application for public inspection with the recorder at the courthouse of the county or an appropriate public office approved by the regulatory authority where the mining is proposed to occur, except for that information pertaining to the coal seam itself.

(f) Insurance certificate

Each applicant for a permit shall be required to submit to the regulatory authority as part of the permit application a certificate issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the United States certifying that the applicant has a public liability insurance policy in force for the surface mining and reclamation operations for which such permit is sought, or evidence that the applicant has satisfied other State or Federal self-insurance requirements. Such policy shall provide for personal injury and property damage protection in an amount adequate to compensate any persons damaged as a result of surface coal mining and reclamation operations including use of explosives and entitled to compensation under the applicable provisions of State law. Such policy shall be maintained in full force and effect during the terms of the permit or any renewal, including the length of all reclamation operations.

(g) Blasting plan

Each applicant for a surface coal mining and reclamation permit shall submit to the regulatory authority as part of the permit application a blasting plan which shall outline the procedures and standards by which the operator will meet the provisions of section 1265(b)(15) of this title.

(h) Reimbursement of costs

A coal operator that has received assistance pursuant to subsection (c)(1) or (2) shall reimburse the regulatory authority for the cost of the services rendered if the program administrator finds that the operator's actual and attributed annual production of coal for all locations exceeds 300,000 tons during the 12 months immediately following the date on which the operator is issued the surface coal mining and reclamation permit.

(Pub. L. 95–87, title V, §507, Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 474; Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, §6011, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–297; Pub. L. 102–486, title XXV, §2513, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3112.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1992—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–486, §2513(a), amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) read as follows: "If the regulatory authority finds that the probable total annual production at all locations of any coal surface mining operator will not exceed 300,000 tons, the determination of probable hydrologic consequences required by subsection (b)(11) of this section and the statement of the result of test borings or core samplings required by subsection (b)(15) of this section shall, upon the written request of the operator be performed by a qualified public or private laboratory designated by the regulatory authority and the cost of the preparation of such determination and statement shall be assumed by the regulatory authority."

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 102–486, §2513(b), added subsec. (h).

1990—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–508 substituted "300,000" for "100,000".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 101–508, effective Oct. 1, 1991, see section 6014 of Pub. L. 101–508 set out as a note under section 1231 of this title.

Discretionary Offsetting Collections

Pub. L. 113–76, div. G, title I, Jan. 17, 2014, 128 Stat. 299, provided in part: "That, in subsequent fiscal years [after fiscal year 2014], all amounts collected by the Office of Surface Mining from permit fees pursuant to section 507 of Public Law 95–87 (30 U.S.C. 1257) shall be credited to this account [Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement—regulation and technology] as discretionary offsetting collections, to remain available until expended."

Similar provisions were contained in the following appropriations acts:

Pub. L. 118–42, div. E, title I, Mar. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 229.

Pub. L. 117–328, div. G, title I, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 4770.

Pub. L. 117–103, div. G, title I, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 359.

Pub. L. 116–260, div. G, title I, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1489.

Pub. L. 116–94, div. D, title I, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2697.

Pub. L. 116–6, div. E, title I, Feb. 15, 2019, 133 Stat. 216.

Pub. L. 115–141, div. G, title I, Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 645.

Pub. L. 115–31, div. G, title I, May 5, 2017, 131 Stat. 446.

Pub. L. 114–113, div. G, title I, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2536.

Pub. L. 113–235, div. F, title I, Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2406.

Pub. L. 112–74, div. E, title I, Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 996.

Preparation of Cross-Sections, Maps, and Plans of Land By or Under Direction of Qualified Registered Professional Engineers, Geologists, or Land Surveyors

Pub. L. 98–146, title I, §115, Nov. 4, 1983, 97 Stat. 938, provided that: "Notwithstanding section 507(b)(14) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (Public Law 95–87) [subsec. (b)(14) of this section], cross-sections, maps or plans of land to be affected by an application for a surface mining and reclamation permit shall be prepared by or under the direction of a qualified registered professional engineer or geologist, or qualified registered professional land surveyor in any State which authorizes land surveyors to prepare and certify such maps or plans."

1 So in original. Probably should be "forfeited".

2 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.
30 U.S.C. § 936 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 22: MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH / Subchapter IV: BLACK LUNG BENEFITS / Section 936: Regulations and reports
Regulations and reports
Status: in_force

(a) Promulgation; applicability of section 553 of title 5

The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Health and Human Services are authorized to issue such regulations as each deems appropriate to carry out the provisions of this subchapter. Such regulations shall be issued in conformity with section 553 of title 5, notwithstanding subsection (a) thereof.

(b) Annual reports to Congress

At the end of fiscal year 2003 and each succeeding fiscal year, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to the Congress an annual report on the subject matter of this part and part B of this subchapter. Each such report shall be prepared and submitted to Congress in accordance with the requirement with respect to submission under section 942 of title 33.

(c) Compliance with State workmen's compensation laws; conflicts between State and Federal provisions

Nothing in this subchapter shall relieve any operator of the duty to comply with any State workmen's compensation law, except insofar as such State law is in conflict with the provisions of this subchapter and the Secretary by regulation, so prescribes. The provisions of any State workmen's compensation law which provide greater benefits than the benefits payable under this subchapter shall not thereby be construed or held to be in conflict with the provisions of this subchapter.

(Pub. L. 91–173, title IV, §426, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 798; Pub. L. 92–303, §5(3), May 19, 1972, 86 Stat. 155; Pub. L. 103–296, title I, §108(i)(3), Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1488; Pub. L. 104–66, title I, §1102(b)(2), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 723; Pub. L. 107–275, §2(b)(4), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1926.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 942 of title 33, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the original "section 42 of the Longshore Harbor Worker's Compensation Act" and was translated as reading "section 42 of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act" to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Amendments

2002—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107–275, §2(b)(4)(A), struck out ", the Commissioner of Social Security," after "The Secretary of Labor".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 107–275, §2(b)(4)(B), amended first sentence generally. Prior to amendment, first sentence read as follows: "At the end of each fiscal year, the Commissioner of Social Security shall submit to the Congress an annual report upon the subject matter of part B of this subchapter, and, after January 1, 1974, the Secretary of Labor shall also submit such a report upon the subject matter of this part."

1995—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–66 substituted "At the end of each fiscal year, the" for "Within 120 days following the convening of each session of Congress the" and inserted at end "Each such report shall be prepared and submitted to Congress in accordance with the requirement with respect to submission under section 942 of title 33."

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–296, §108(i)(3)(A), substituted ", the Commissioner of Social Security, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services" for "and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–296, §108(i)(3)(B), substituted "Commissioner of Social Security" for "Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare".

1972—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 92–303 substituted "January 1, 1974" for "January 1, 1973".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–275 effective 90 days after Nov. 2, 2002, see section 4 of Pub. L. 107–275, set out as a note under section 902 of this title.

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–296 effective Mar. 31, 1995, see section 110(a) of Pub. L. 103–296, set out as a note under section 401 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.
30 U.S.C. § 1463 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 26: DEEP SEABED HARD MINERAL RESOURCES / Subchapter III: ENFORCEMENT AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS / Section 1463: Criminal offenses
Criminal offenses
Status: in_force

(a) Offense

A person subject to section 1461 of this title is guilty of an offense if such person willfully and knowingly commits any act prohibited by section 1461 of this title.

(b) Punishment

Any offense described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (6) of section 1461 of this title is punishable by a fine of not more than $75,000 for each day during which the violation continues. Any offense described in paragraphs (3), (4), (5), and (7) of section 1461 of this title is punishable by a fine of not more than $75,000 or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. If, in the commission of any offense, the person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States uses a dangerous weapon, engages in conduct that causes bodily injury to any Federal officer or employee, or places any such Federal officer or employee in fear of imminent bodily injury, the offense is punishable by a fine of not more than $100,000 or imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both.

(Pub. L. 96–283, title III, §303, June 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 578.)
30 U.S.C. § 82 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 3: LANDS CONTAINING COAL, OIL, GAS, SALTS, ASPHALTIC MATERIALS, SODIUM, SULPHUR, AND BUILDING STONE / Subchapter II: COAL LAND ENTRIES UNDER NONMINERAL LAND LAWS WITH RESERVATION OF COAL TO UNITED STATES / Section 82: New or supplemental patents, in case of lands subsequently classified as noncoal
New or supplemental patents, in case of lands subsequently classified as noncoal
Status: in_force

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized and directed in cases where patents for public lands have been issued to entrymen under the provisions of sections 81 and 83 to 85 of this title, reserving to the United States all coal deposits therein, and lands so patented are subsequently classified as noncoal in character, to issue new or supplemental patents without such reservation.

(Apr. 14, 1914, ch. 55, 38 Stat. 335.)
30 U.S.C. § 1294 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 25: SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION / Subchapter VII: ADMINISTRATIVE AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS / Section 1294: Penalty
Penalty
Status: in_force

Any person who shall, except as permitted by law, willfully resist, prevent, impede, or interfere with the Secretary or any of his agents in the performance of duties pursuant to this chapter shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

(Pub. L. 95–87, title VII, §704, Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 520.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section 704 of Pub. L. 95–87 also amended section 1114 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.
30 U.S.C. § 1302 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 25: SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION / Subchapter VII: ADMINISTRATIVE AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS / Section 1302: Authorization of appropriations
Authorization of appropriations
Status: in_force

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the purposes of this chapter the following sums; and all such funds appropriated shall remain available until expended:

(a) For the implementation and funding of sections 1252, 1273, and 1300 of this title, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior the sum of $10,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978, $25,000,000 for each of the two succeeding fiscal years, and in such fiscal years such additional amounts as may be necessary for increases in salary, pay, retirement, other employee benefits authorized by law, and other nondiscretionary costs.

(b) For the implementation and funding of section 1257(c) of this title, see the provisions of section 1231(c)(9) of this title.

(c) For the implementation and funding of section 1295 of this title and for the administrative and other purposes of this chapter, except as otherwise provided for in this chapter, authorization is provided for the sum of $20,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978, and $30,000,000 for each of the two succeeding fiscal years and such funds that are required thereafter.

(d) In order that the implementation of the requirements of this chapter may be initiated in a timely and orderly manner, the Secretary is authorized, subject to the approval of the appropriation Committees of the House and of the Senate, to utilize not to exceed $2,000,000 of the appropriations otherwise available to him for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1977, for the administration and other purposes of the chapter.

(Pub. L. 95–87, title VII, §712, Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 524; Pub. L. 95–343, §1, Aug. 11, 1978, 92 Stat. 473; Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, §6012(b), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–298; Pub. L. 109–432, div. C, title II, §201(b), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3008.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–432 substituted "1231(c)(9)" for "1231(c)(11)".

1990—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–508 amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: "For the implementation and funding of section 1257(c) of this title there are authorized to be appropriated sums reserved by section 1231(b)(1) of this title for the purposes of section 1257(c) of this title and such additional sums as may be necessary (i) for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978, to provide an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 to carry out the purposes of section 1257(c) of this title and (ii) for the fiscal years ending September 30, 1979, and September 30, 1980, to provide an amount not to exceed $25,000,000 to carry out the purposes of section 1257(c) of this title."

1978—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–343, §1(1), increased authorization from $10,000,000 to $25,000,000 for each of the two succeeding fiscal years, and inserted provisions authorizing such necessary additional amounts for increases in salary, etc.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–343, §1(2), substituted provisions authorizing appropriations of not to exceed $10,000,000 for fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 1978, and not to exceed $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years ending Sept. 30, 1979, and 1980, for provisions authorizing appropriations of not to exceed $10,000,000 and such additional amounts as are necessary for fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 1978, and for each fiscal year for a period of fifteen fiscal years thereafter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 101–508, effective Oct. 1, 1991, see section 6014 of Pub. L. 101–508 set out as a note under section 1231 of this title.

Crediting Performance Bond Forfeitures

Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(e) [title I], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–231, 2681–244, provided in part that: "Notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, an additional amount shall be credited to this account, to remain available until expended, from performance bond forfeitures in fiscal year 1999 and thereafter."

Cost-Based Fees for Products of Mine Map Repository

Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(e) [title I], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–231, 2681–244, provided in part that: "Beginning in fiscal year 1999 and thereafter, cost-based fees for the products of the Mine Map Repository shall be established (and revised as needed) in Federal Register Notices, and shall be collected and credited to this account, to be available until expended for the costs of administering this program."
30 U.S.C. § 1418 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 26: DEEP SEABED HARD MINERAL RESOURCES / Subchapter I: REGULATION OF EXPLORATION AND COMMERCIAL RECOVERY BY UNITED STATES CITIZENS / Section 1418: Diligence requirements
Diligence requirements
Status: in_force

(a) In general

The exploration plan or recovery plan and the terms, conditions, and restrictions of each license and permit issued under this subchapter shall be designed to assure diligent development. Each licensee shall pursue diligently the activities described in the exploration plan of the licensee, and each permittee shall pursue diligently the activities described in the recovery plan of the permittee.

(b) Expenditures

Each license shall require such periodic reasonable expenditures for exploration by the licensee as the Administrator shall establish, taking into account the size of the area of the deep seabed to which the exploration plan associated with the license applies and the amount of funds which is estimated by the Administrator to be required for commercial recovery of hard mineral resources to begin within the time limit established by the Administrator. Such required expenditures shall not be established at a level which would discourage exploration by persons with less costly technology than is prevalently in use.

(c) Commercial recovery

Once commercial recovery is achieved, the Administrator shall, within reasonable limits and taking into consideration all relevant factors, require the permittee to maintain commercial recovery throughout the period of the permit; except that the Administrator shall for good cause shown, including force majeure, adverse economic conditions, or other circumstances beyond the control of the permittee, authorize the temporary suspension of commercial recovery activities. The duration of such a suspension shall not exceed one year at any one time, unless the Administrator determines that conditions justify an extension of the suspension.

(Pub. L. 96–283, title I, §108, June 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 567.)
30 U.S.C. § 1231a (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 25: SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION / Subchapter IV: ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATIONS / Section 1231a: Abandoned mine reclamation fund authorization of appropriations
Abandoned mine reclamation fund authorization of appropriations
Status: in_force

(a) In general

There is authorized to be appropriated, for deposit into the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund established by section 401(a) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1231(a)) $11,293,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, to remain available until expended.

(b) Use of funds

(1) In general

Subject to subsection (g), amounts made available under subsection (a) shall be used to provide, as expeditiously as practicable, to States and Indian Tribes described in paragraph (2) annual grants for abandoned mine land and water reclamation projects under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.).

(2) Eligible grant recipients

Grants may be made under paragraph (1) to—

(A) States and Indian Tribes that have a State or Tribal program approved under section 405 of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1235);

(B) States and Indian Tribes that are certified under section 411(a) of that Act (30 U.S.C. 1240a(a)); and

(C) States and Indian Tribes that are referred to in section 402(g)(8)(B) of that Act (30 U.S.C. 1232(g)(8)(B)).

(3) Contract aggregation

In applying for grants under paragraph (1), States and Indian Tribes may aggregate bids into larger statewide or regional contracts.

(c) Covered activities

(1) In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), grants under subsection (b)(1) shall only be used for activities described in subsections (a) and (b) of section 403 and section 410 of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1233, 1240).

(2) Long-term abandoned mine land reclamation

(A) In general

Not more than 30 percent of the total amount of a grant made annually under subsection (b)(1) may be retained by the recipient of the grant if those amounts are deposited into a long-term abandoned mine land reclamation fund established under State law, from which amounts (together with all interest earned on the amounts) are expended by the State or Indian Tribe, as applicable, for—

(i) the abatement of the causes and the treatment of the effects of acid mine drainage resulting from coal mining practices, including for the costs of building, operating, maintaining, and rehabilitating acid mine drainage treatment systems;

(ii) the prevention, abatement, and control of subsidence; or

(iii) the prevention, abatement, and control of coal mine fires.

(B) Reporting requirements

Each recipient of a grant under subsection (b)(1) that deposits grant amounts into a long-term abandoned mine land reclamation fund under subparagraph (A) shall—

(i) offer amendments to the inventory maintained under section 403(c) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1233(c)) to reflect the use of the amounts for—

(I) acid mine drainage abatement and treatment;

(II) subsidence prevention, abatement, and control; and

(III) coal mine fire prevention, abatement, and control; and

(ii) include in the annual grant report of the recipient information on the status and balance of amounts in the long-term abandoned mine land reclamation fund.

(C) Term

Amounts retained under subparagraph (A) shall not be subject to—

(i) subsection (d)(4)(B); or

(ii) any other limitation on the length of the term of an annual grant under subsection (b)(1).

(d) Allocation

(1) In general

Subject to subsection (e), the Secretary of the Interior shall allocate and distribute amounts made available for grants under subsection (b)(1) to States and Indian Tribes on an equal annual basis over a 15-year period beginning on November 15, 2021, based on the number of tons of coal historically produced in the States or from the applicable Indian land before August 3, 1977, regardless of whether the State or Indian Tribe is certified under section 411(a) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1240a(a)).

(2) Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act exception

Section 401(f)(3)(B) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1231(f)(3)(B)) shall not apply to grant funds distributed under subsection (b)(1).

(3) Report to Congress on allocations

(A) In general

Not later than 6 years after the date on which the first allocation to States and Indian Tribes is made under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to Congress a report that describes any progress made under this section in addressing outstanding reclamation needs under subsection (a) or (b) of section 403 or section 410 of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation and 1 Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1233, 1240).

(B) Input

The Secretary of the Interior shall—

(i) prior to submitting the report under subparagraph (A), solicit the input of the States and Indian Tribes regarding the progress referred to in that subparagraph; and

(ii) include in the report submitted to Congress under that subparagraph a description of any input received under clause (i).

(4) Redistribution of funds

(A) Evaluation

Not later than 20 years after November 15, 2021, the Secretary of the Interior shall evaluate grant payments to States and Indian Tribes made under this section.

(B) Unused funds

On completion of the evaluation under subparagraph (A), States and Indian Tribes shall return any unused funds under this section to the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund.

(e) Total amount of grant

The total amount of grant funding provided under subsection (b)(1) to an eligible State or Indian Tribe shall be not less than $20,000,000, to the extent that the amount needed for reclamation projects described in that subsection on the land of the State or Indian Tribe is not less than $20,000,000.

(f) Priority

In addition to the priorities described in section 403(a) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1233(a)), in providing grants under this section, priority may also be given to reclamation projects described in subsection (b)(1) that provide employment for current and former employees of the coal industry.

(g) Reservation

Of the funds made available under subsection (a), $25,000,000 shall be made available to the Secretary of the Interior to provide States and Indian Tribes with the financial and technical assistance necessary for the purpose of making amendments to the inventory maintained under section 403(c) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1233(c)).

(Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title VII, §40701, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1091; Pub. L. 117–328, div. DD, title VIII, §801, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5622.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is Pub. L. 95–87, Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 445, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1201 of this title and Tables.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and not as part of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 117–328 designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted heading, substituted "Except as provided in paragraph (2), grants under" for "Grants under", and added par. (2).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Wage Rate Requirements

For provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for construction, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of Pub. L. 117–58, including authority of Secretary of Labor, see section 18851 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Definitions

For definition of "Indian Tribe" as used in this section, see section 5304 of Title 25, Indians, as made applicable by section 18701(2) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

1 So in original. The word "and" probably should not appear.
30 U.S.C. § 1752 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 29: OIL AND GAS ROYALTY MANAGEMENT / Subchapter III: GENERAL PROVISIONS / Section 1752: Reports
Reports
Status: in_force

The Secretary shall submit to the Congress an annual report on the implementation of this chapter. The information to be included in the report and the format of the report shall be developed by the Secretary after consulting with the Committees on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate. The Secretary shall also report on the progress of the Department in reconciling account balances.

(Pub. L. 97–451, title III, §302, Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2461; Pub. L. 103–437, §11(a)(2), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4589; Pub. L. 105–362, title IX, §901(j)(1), Nov. 10, 1998, 112 Stat. 3290.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1998—Pub. L. 105–362 struck out subsec. (a) designation and struck out subsec. (b) which read as follows: "Commencing with fiscal year 1984, the Inspector General of the Department of the Interior shall conduct a biennial audit of the Federal royalty management system. The Inspector General shall submit the results of such audit to the Secretary and to the Congress."

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–437 substituted "Natural Resources" for "Interior and Insular Affairs" after "Committees on".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Termination of Reporting Requirements

For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions of law requiring submittal to Congress of any annual, semiannual, or other regular periodic report listed in House Document No. 103–7 (in which a report required under this section is listed on page 111), see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance.

Study of the Adequacy of Royalty Management for Minerals on Federal and Indian Lands

Pub. L. 97–451, title III, §303, Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2461, directed Secretary to study question of adequacy of royalty management for coal, uranium and other energy and nonenergy minerals on Federal and Indian lands, include proposed legislation if Secretary determined that such legislation was necessary to ensure prompt and proper collection of revenues owed to the United States, the States and Indian tribes or Indian allottees from the sale, lease or other disposal of such minerals, with study to be submitted to Congress not later than one year from Jan. 12, 1983.
30 U.S.C. § 213 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 3A: LEASES AND PROSPECTING PERMITS / Subchapter III: PHOSPHATES / Section 213: Royalties for use of deposits of silica, limestone, or other rock embraced in lease
Royalties for use of deposits of silica, limestone, or other rock embraced in lease
Status: in_force

Any lease to develop and extract phosphates, phosphate rock, and associated or related minerals under the provisions of sections 211 to 214 of this title shall provide that the lessee may use so much of any deposit of silica or limestone or other rock situated on any public lands embraced in the lease as may be utilized in the processing or refining of the phosphates, phosphate rock, and associated or related minerals mined from the leased lands or from other lands upon payments of such royalty as may be determined by the Secretary of the Interior, which royalty may be stated in the lease or, as to the leases already issued, may be provided for in an attachment to the lease to be duly executed by the lessor and the lessee.

(Feb. 25, 1920, ch. 85, §11, 41 Stat. 440; June 3, 1948, ch. 379, §4, 62 Stat. 291.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1948—Act June 3, 1948, amended section generally, omitting provision relating to royalties and annual rents, and inserting provisions relating to use of deposits of silica, limestone or other rock embraced in the lease upon the payment of a suitable royalty.
30 U.S.C. § 938 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 22: MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH / Subchapter IV: BLACK LUNG BENEFITS / Section 938: Miners suffering from pneumoconiosis; discrimination prohibited
Miners suffering from pneumoconiosis; discrimination prohibited
Status: in_force

(a) Mine operators

No operator shall discharge or in any other way discriminate against any miner employed by him by reason of the fact that such miner is suffering from pneumoconiosis. No person shall cause or attempt to cause an operator to violate this section. For the purposes of this subsection the term "miner" shall not include any person who has been found to be totally disabled.

(b) Determination by Secretary; procedure

Any miner who believes that he has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of subsection (a) of this section, or any representative of such miner may, within ninety days after such violation occurs, apply to the Secretary for a review of such alleged discharge or discrimination. A copy of the application shall be sent to such person who shall be the respondent. Upon receipt of such application, the Secretary shall cause such investigation to be made as he deems appropriate. Such investigation shall provide an opportunity for a public hearing at the request of any party to enable the parties to present information relating to such violation. The parties shall be given written notice of the time and place of the hearing at least five days prior to the hearing. Any such hearing shall be of record and shall be subject to section 554 of title 5. Each administrative law judge presiding under this section and under the provisions of subchapters I, II and III of this chapter shall receive compensation at a rate determined under section 5372 of title 5. Upon receiving the report of such investigation, the Secretary shall make findings of fact. If he finds that such violation did occur, he shall issue a decision, incorporating an order therein, requiring the person committing such violation to take such affirmative action as the Secretary deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, the rehiring or reinstatement of the miner to his former position with back pay. If he finds that there was no such violation, he shall issue an order denying the application. Such order shall incorporate the Secretary's findings therein.

(c) Costs and penalties

Whenever an order is issued under this subsection granting relief to a miner at the request of such miner, a sum equal to the aggregate amount of all costs and expenses (including the attorney's fees) as determined by the Secretary to have been reasonably incurred by such miner for, or in connection with, the institution and prosecution of such proceedings, shall be assessed against the person committing the violation.

(Pub. L. 91–173, title IV, §428, as added Pub. L. 92–303, §5(7), May 19, 1972, 86 Stat. 155; amended Pub. L. 95–251, §2(a)(9), Mar. 27, 1978, 92 Stat. 183; Pub. L. 101–509, title V, §529 [title I, §104(d)(3)], Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1427, 1447.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1990—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–509 amended seventh sentence generally, substituting "determined under section 5372 of title 5" for "not less than that prescribed for GS–16 under section 5332 of title 5".

1978—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–251 substituted "administrative law judge" for "hearing examiner".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 101–509 effective on such date as the President shall determine, but not earlier than 90 days, and not later than 180 days, after Nov. 5, 1990, see section 529 [title III, §305] of Pub. L. 101–509, set out as a note under section 5301 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
30 U.S.C. § 16 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 1: UNITED STATES BUREAU OF MINES / Section 16: Research laboratory for utilization of anthracite coal; establishment of advisory committee; composition; functions; appointment
Research laboratory for utilization of anthracite coal; establishment of advisory committee; composition; functions; appointment
Status: in_force

The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the United States Bureau of Mines, may, in his discretion, create and establish an advisory committee composed of not more than six members to exercise consultative functions, when required by the Secretary, in connection with the administration of sections 13 to 16 of this title. The said committee shall be composed of representatives of anthracite coal mine owners, of representatives of anthracite coal mine workers and the public in equal number. The members of said committee shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior without regard to the civil-service laws.

(Dec. 18, 1942, ch. 764, §4, 56 Stat. 1057.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

For provisions relating to closure and transfer of functions of the United States Bureau of Mines, see note set out under section 1 of this title.

Termination of Advisory Committees

Advisory committees in existence on Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period following Jan. 5, 1973, unless, in the case of a committee established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such committee is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a committee established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. Advisory committees established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a committee established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such committee is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a committee established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided for by law. See section 1013 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
30 U.S.C. § 1254 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 25: SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION / Subchapter V: CONTROL OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF SURFACE COAL MINING / Section 1254: Federal programs
Federal programs
Status: in_force

(a) Promulgation and implementation by Secretary for State

The Secretary shall prepare and, subject to the provisions of this section, promulgate and implement a Federal program for a State no later than thirty-four months after August 3, 1977, if such State—

(1) fails to submit a State program covering surface coal mining and reclamation operations by the end of the eighteen-month period beginning on August 3, 1977;

(2) fails to resubmit an acceptable State program within sixty days of disapproval of a proposed State program: Provided, That the Secretary shall not implement a Federal program prior to the expiration of the initial period allowed for submission of a State program as provided for in clause (1) of this subsection; or

(3) fails to implement, enforce, or maintain its approved State program as provided for in this chapter.

If State compliance with clause (1) of this subsection requires an act of the State legislature, the Secretary may extend the period of submission of a State program up to an additional six months. Promulgation and implementation of a Federal program vests the Secretary with exclusive jurisdiction for the regulation and control of surface coal mining and reclamation operations taking place on lands within any State not in compliance with this chapter. After promulgation and implementation of a Federal program the Secretary shall be the regulatory authority. If a Federal program is implemented for a State, section 1272(a), (c), and (d) of this title shall not apply for a period of one year following the date of such implementation. In promulgating and implementing a Federal program for a particular State the Secretary shall take into consideration the nature of that State's terrain, climate, biological, chemical, and other relevant physical conditions.

(b) Federal enforcement of State program

In the event that a State has a State program for surface coal mining, and is not enforcing any part of such program, the Secretary may provide for the Federal enforcement, under the provisions of section 1271 of this title, of that part of the State program not being enforced by such State.

(c) Notice and hearing

Prior to promulgation and implementation of any proposed Federal program, the Secretary shall give adequate public notice and hold a public hearing in the affected State.

(d) Review of permits

Permits issued pursuant to a previously approved State program shall be valid but reviewable under a Federal program. Immediately following promulgation of a Federal program, the Secretary shall undertake to review such permits to determine that the requirements of this chapter are not violated. If the Secretary determines any permit to have been granted contrary to the requirements of this chapter, he shall so advise the permittee and provide him an opportunity for hearing and a reasonable opportunity for submission of a new application and reasonable time, within a time limit prescribed in regulations promulgated pursuant to section 1251(b) of this title, to conform ongoing surface mining and reclamation operations to the requirements of the Federal program.

(e) Submission of State program after implementation of Federal program

A State which has failed to obtain the approval of a State program prior to implementation of a Federal program may submit a State program at any time after such implementation. Upon the submission of such a program, the Secretary shall follow the procedures set forth in section 1253(b) of this title and shall approve or disapprove the State program within six months after its submittal. Approval of a State program shall be based on the determination that the State has the capability of carrying out the provisions of this chapter and meeting its purposes through the criteria set forth in section 1253(a)(1) through (6) of this title. Until a State program is approved as provided under this section, the Federal program shall remain in effect and all actions taken by the Secretary pursuant to such Federal program, including the terms and conditions of any permit issued thereunder shall remain in effect.

(f) Validity of Federal program permits under superseding State program

Permits issued pursuant to the Federal program shall be valid under any superseding State program: Provided, That the Federal permittee shall have the right to apply for a State permit to supersede his Federal permit. The State regulatory authority may review such permits to determine that the requirements of this chapter and the approved State program are not violated. Should the State program contain additional requirements not contained in the Federal program, the permittee will be provided opportunity for hearing and a reasonable time, within a time limit prescribed in regulations promulgated pursuant to section 1251 of this title, to conform ongoing surface mining and reclamation operations to the additional State requirements.

(g) Preemption of State statutes or regulations

Whenever a Federal program is promulgated for a State pursuant to this chapter, any statutes or regulations of such State which are in effect to regulate surface mining and reclamation operations subject to this chapter shall, insofar as they interfere with the achievement of the purposes and the requirements of this chapter and the Federal program, be preempted and superseded by the Federal program. The Secretary shall set forth any State law or regulation which is preempted and superseded by the Federal program.

(h) Coordination of issuance and review of Federal program permits with any other Federal or State permit process

Any Federal program shall include a process for coordinating the review and issuance of permits for surface mining and reclamation operations with any other Federal or State permit process applicable to the proposed operation.

(Pub. L. 95–87, title V, §504, Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 471.)
30 U.S.C. § 1211 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 25: SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION / Subchapter II: OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT / Section 1211: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Status: in_force

(a) Establishment

There is established in the Department of the Interior, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (hereinafter referred to as the "Office").

(b) Appointment, compensation, duties, etc., of Director; employees

The Office shall have a Director who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall be compensated at the rate provided for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 1 of title 5, and such other employees as may be required. Pursuant to section 5108 of title 5, and after consultation with the Secretary, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall determine the necessary number of positions in general schedule employees in grade 16, 17, and 18 to perform functions of this subchapter and shall allocate such positions to the Secretary. The Director shall have the responsibilities provided under subsection (c) of this section and those duties and responsibilities relating to the functions of the Office which the Secretary may assign, consistent with this chapter. Employees of the Office shall be recruited on the basis of their professional competence and capacity to administer the provisions of this chapter. The Office may use, on a reimbursable basis when appropriate, employees of the Department and other Federal agencies to administer the provisions of this chapter, providing that no legal authority, program, or function in any Federal agency which has as its purpose promoting the development or use of coal or other mineral resources or regulating the health and safety of miners under provisions of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 (83 Stat. 742) [30 U.S.C. 801 et seq.], shall be transferred to the Office.

(c) Duties of Secretary

The Secretary, acting through the Office, shall—

(1) administer the programs for controlling surface coal mining operations which are required by this chapter; review and approve or disapprove State programs for controlling surface coal mining operations and reclaiming abandoned mined lands; make those investigations and inspections necessary to insure compliance with this chapter; conduct hearings, administer oaths, issue subpenas, and compel the attendance of witnesses and production of written or printed material as provided for in this chapter; issue cease-and-desist orders; review and vacate or modify or approve orders and decisions; and order the suspension, revocation, or withholding of any permit for failure to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter or any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto;

(2) publish and promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this chapter;

(3) administer the State grant-in-aid program for the development of State programs for surface and mining and reclamation operations provided for in subchapter V of this chapter;

(4) administer the program for the purchase and reclamation of abandoned and unreclaimed mined areas pursuant to subchapter IV of this chapter;

(5) administer the surface mining and reclamation research and demonstration project authority provided for in this chapter;

(6) consult with other agencies of the Federal Government having expertise in the control and reclamation of surface mining operations and assist States, local governments, and other eligible agencies in the coordination of such programs;

(7) maintain a continuing study of surface mining and reclamation operations in the United States;

(8) develop and maintain an Information and Data Center on Surface Coal Mining, Reclamation, and Surface Impacts of Underground Mining, which will make such data available to the public and the Federal, regional, State, and local agencies conducting or concerned with land use planning and agencies concerned with surface and underground mining and reclamation operations;

(9) assist the States in the development of State programs for surface coal mining and reclamation operations which meet the requirements of this chapter, and at the same time, reflect local requirements and local environmental and agricultural conditions;

(10) assist the States in developing objective scientific criteria and appropriate procedures and institutions for determining those areas of a State to be designated unsuitable for all or certain types of surface coal mining pursuant to section 1272 of this title;

(11) monitor all Federal and State research programs dealing with coal extraction and use and recommend to Congress the research and demonstration projects and necessary changes in public policy which are designated to (A) improve feasibility of underground coal mining, and (B) improve surface mining and reclamation techniques directed at eliminating adverse environmental and social impacts;

(12) cooperate with other Federal agencies and State regulatory authorities to minimize duplication of inspections, enforcement, and administration of this chapter; and

(13) perform such other duties as may be provided by law and relate to the purposes of this chapter.

(d) Restriction on use of Federal coal mine health and safety inspectors

The Director shall not use either permanently or temporarily any person charged with responsibility of inspecting coal mines under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 [30 U.S.C. 801 et seq.], unless he finds and publishes such finding in the Federal Register, that such activities would not interfere with such inspections under the 1969 Act.

(e) Repealed. Pub. L. 96–511, §4(b), Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2826

(f) Conflict of interest; penalties; rules and regulations; report to Congress

No employee of the Office or any other Federal employee performing any function or duty under this chapter shall have a direct or indirect financial interest in underground or surface coal mining operations. Whoever knowingly violates the provisions of the above sentence shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $2,500, or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. The Director shall (1) within sixty days after August 3, 1977, publish regulations, in accordance with section 553 of title 5, to establish the methods by which the provisions of this subsection will be monitored and enforced, including appropriate provisions for the filing by such employees and the review of statements and supplements thereto concerning their financial interests which may be affected by this subsection, and (2) report to the Congress as part of the annual report (section 1296 of this title) on the actions taken and not taken during the preceding calendar year under this subsection.

(g) Petition for issuance, amendment, or repeal of rule; filing; hearing or investigation; notice of denial

(1) After the Secretary has adopted the regulations required by section 1251 of this title, any person may petition the Director to initiate a proceeding for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a rule under this chapter.

(2) Such petitions shall be filed in the principal office of the Director and shall set forth the facts which it is claimed established that it is necessary to issue, amend, or repeal a rule under this chapter.

(3) The Director may hold a public hearing or may conduct such investigation or proceeding as the Director deems appropriate in order to determine whether or not such petition should be granted.

(4) Within ninety days after filing of a petition described in paragraph (1), the Director shall either grant or deny the petition. If the Director grants such petition, the Director shall promptly commence an appropriate proceeding in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. If the Director denies such petition, the Director shall so notify the petitioner in writing setting forth the reasons for such denial.

(Pub. L. 95–87, title II, §201, Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 449; Pub. L. 95–240, title I, §100, Mar. 7, 1978, 92 Stat. 109; 1978 Reorg. Plan No. 2, §102, eff. Jan. 1, 1979, 43 F.R. 36037, 92 Stat. 3783; Pub. L. 96–511, §4(b), Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2826.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, referred to in subsecs. (b) and (d), is Pub. L. 91–173, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 742, which was redesignated the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 by Pub. L. 95–164, title I, §101, Nov. 9, 1977, 91 Stat. 1290, and is classified principally to chapter 22 (§801 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 801 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1980—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 96–511 struck subsec. (e) which provided for consideration of Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement as an independent Federal regulatory agency. See section 3502(10) of Title 44, Public Printing and Documents.

1978—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–240 substituted "V" for "IV".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–511 effective Apr. 1, 1981, see section 5 of Pub. L. 96–511, set out as a note under section 2904 of Title 44, Public Printing and Documents.

Termination of Reporting Requirements

For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions in subsec. (f) of this section relating to requirement to report to Congress on actions taken and not taken under subsec. (f), see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and page 109 of House Document No. 103–7.

References in Other Laws to GS–16, 17, or 18 Pay Rates

References in laws to the rates of pay for GS–16, 17, or 18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, §101(c)(1)] of Pub. L. 101–509, set out in a note under section 5376 of Title 5.

Travel and Per Diem Expenses

Pub. L. 100–446, title I, Sept. 27, 1988, 102 Stat. 1793, provided: "That notwithstanding any other provisions of law, appropriations for the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement may, hereafter, provide for the travel and per diem expenses of State and tribal personnel attending OSMRE sponsored training".

Similar provisions were contained in the following appropriations acts:

Pub. L. 118–42, div. E, title I, Mar. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 229.

Pub. L. 117–328, div. G, title I, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 4770.

Pub. L. 117–103, div. G, title I, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 359.

Pub. L. 116–260, div. G, title I, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1489.

Pub. L. 116–94, div. D, title I, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2697.

Pub. L. 116–6, div. E, title I, Feb. 15, 2019, 133 Stat. 216.

Pub. L. 115–141, div. G, title I, Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 645.

Pub. L. 115–31, div. G, title I, May 5, 2017, 131 Stat. 446.

Pub. L. 114–113, div. G, title I, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2536.

Pub. L. 113–235, div. F, title I, Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2406.

Pub. L. 113–76, div. G, title I, Jan. 17, 2014, 128 Stat. 298.

Pub. L. 112–74, div. E, title I, Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 995.

Pub. L. 111–88, div. A, title I, Oct. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 2915.

Pub. L. 111–8, div. E, title I, Mar. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 712.

Pub. L. 110–161, div. F, title I, Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2109.

Pub. L. 109–54, title I, Aug. 2, 2005, 119 Stat. 512.

Pub. L. 108–447, div. E, title I, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3054.

Pub. L. 108–108, title I, Nov. 10, 2003, 117 Stat. 1256.

Pub. L. 108–7, div. F, title I, Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 230.

Pub. L. 107–63, title I, Nov. 5, 2001, 115 Stat. 429.

Pub. L. 106–291, title I, Oct. 11, 2000, 114 Stat. 933.

Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, §1000(a)(3) [title I], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1535, 1501A–147.

Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(e) [title I], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–231, 2681–244.

Pub. L. 105–83, title I, Nov. 14, 1997, 111 Stat. 1553.

Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, §101(d) [title I], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–181, 3009–191.

Pub. L. 104–134, title I, §101(c) [title I], Apr. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 1321–156, 1321–168; renumbered title I, Pub. L. 104–140, §1(a), May 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 1327.

Pub. L. 103–332, title I, Sept. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 2510.

Pub. L. 103–138, title I, Nov. 11, 1993, 107 Stat. 1389.

Pub. L. 102–381, title I, Oct. 5, 1992, 106 Stat. 1387.

Pub. L. 102–154, title I, Nov. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1002.

Pub. L. 101–512, title I, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1927.

Pub. L. 101–121, title I, Oct. 23, 1989, 103 Stat. 712.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

"The Director of the Office of Personnel Management" substituted for "a majority of members of the Civil Service Commission" in subsec. (b) pursuant to Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1978, §102, 43 F.R. 36037, 92 Stat. 3783, set out under section 1101 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, which transferred all functions vested by statute in the United States Civil Service Commission to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (except as otherwise specified), effective Jan. 1, 1979, as provided by section 1–102 of Ex. Ord. No. 12107, Dec. 28, 1978, 44 F.R. 1055, set out under section 1101 of Title 5.

1 So in original. Probably should be section "5316".
30 U.S.C. § 1303 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 25: SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION / Subchapter VII: ADMINISTRATIVE AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS / Section 1303: Coordination of regulatory and inspection activities
Coordination of regulatory and inspection activities
Status: in_force

(a) The President shall, to the extent appropriate, and in keeping with the particular enforcement requirements of each Act referred to herein, insure the coordination of regulatory and inspection activities among the departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to which such activities are assigned by this chapter, by the Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.], by the Water Pollution Control Act [33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.], by the Department of Energy Organization Act [42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.], and by existing or subsequently enacted Federal mine safety and health laws, except that no such coordination shall be required with respect to mine safety and health inspections, advance notice of which is or may be prohibited by existing or subsequently enacted Federal mine safety and health laws.

(b) The President may execute the coordination required by this section by means of an Executive order, or by any other mechanism he determines to be appropriate.

(Pub. L. 95–87, title VII, §713, Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 524.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Clean Air Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is act July 14, 1955, ch. 360, 69 Stat. 322, which is classified generally to chapter 85 (§7401 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7401 of Title 42 and Tables.

The Water Pollution Control Act, referred to in subsec. (a), probably means act June 30, 1948, ch. 758, 62 Stat. 1155, known as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended generally by Pub. L. 92–500, §2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 816, which is classified generally to chapter 26 (§1251 et seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1251 of Title 33 and Tables.

The Department of Energy Organization Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 95–91, Aug. 4, 1977, 91 Stat. 565, which is classified principally to chapter 84 (§7101 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7101 of Title 42 and Tables.
30 U.S.C. § 53 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 2: MINERAL LANDS AND REGULATIONS IN GENERAL / Section 53: Possessory actions for recovery of mining titles or for damages to such title
Possessory actions for recovery of mining titles or for damages to such title
Status: in_force

No possessory action between persons, in any court of the United States, for the recovery of any mining title, or for damages to any such title, shall be affected by the fact that the paramount title to the land in which such mines lie is in the United States; but each case shall be adjudged by the law of possession.

(R.S. §910.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. §910 derived from act Feb. 27, 1865, ch. 64, §9, 13 Stat. 441.

Section was formerly classified to section 690 of Title 28 prior to the general revision and enactment of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, by act June 25, 1948, ch. 646, §1, 62 Stat. 869.
30 U.S.C. § 28f (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 2: MINERAL LANDS AND REGULATIONS IN GENERAL / Section 28f: Fee
Fee
Status: in_force

(a) Claim maintenance fee

(1) Lode mining claims, mill sites, and tunnel sites

The holder of each unpatented lode mining claim, mill site, or tunnel site, located pursuant to the mining laws of the United States before, on, or after August 10, 1993, shall pay to the Secretary of the Interior, on or before September 1 of each year, to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts, a claim maintenance fee of $100 per claim or site, respectively. Such claim maintenance fee shall be in lieu of the assessment work requirement contained in the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28–28e) 1 and the related filing requirements contained in section 1744(a) and (c) of title 43.

(2) Placer mining claims

The holder of each unpatented placer mining claim located pursuant to the mining laws of the United States before, on, or after August 10, 1993, shall pay to the Secretary of the Interior, on or before September 1 of each year, the claim maintenance fee described in subsection (a)(1), for each 20 acres of the placer claim or portion thereof. Such claim maintenance fee shall be in lieu of the assessment work requirement contained in the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28 to 28e) 1 and the related filing requirements contained in section 1744(a) and (c) of title 43.

(b) Time of payment

The claim main tenance 2 fee under subsection (a) shall be paid for the year in which the location is made, at the time the location notice is recorded with the Bureau of Land Management. The location fee imposed under section 28g of this title shall be payable not later than 90 days after the date of location.

(c) Oil shale claims subject to claim maintenance fees under Energy Policy Act of 1992

This section shall not apply to any oil shale claims for which a fee is required to be paid under section 2511(e)(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–486; 106 Stat. 3111; 30 U.S.C. 242).

(d) Waiver

(1) The claim maintenance fee required under this section may be waived for a claimant who certifies in writing to the Secretary that on the date the payment was due, the claimant and all related parties—

(A) held not more than 10 mining claims, mill sites, or tunnel sites, or any combination thereof, on public lands; and

(B) have performed assessment work required under the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28–28e) 1 to maintain the mining claims held by the claimant and such related parties for the assessment year ending on noon of September 1 of the calendar year in which payment of the claim maintenance fee was due.

(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), with respect to any claimant, the term "related party" means—

(A) the spouse and dependent children (as defined in section 152 of title 26), of the claimant; and

(B) a person who controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the claimant.

For purposes of this section, the term control includes actual control, legal control, and the power to exercise control, through or by common directors, officers, stockholders, a voting trust, or a holding company or investment company, or any other means.

(3) If a small miner waiver application is determined to be defective for any reason, the claimant shall have a period of 60 days after receipt of written notification of the defect or defects by the Bureau of Land Management to: (A) cure such defect or defects, or (B) pay the $100 claim maintenance fee due for such period.

(Pub. L. 103–66, title X, §10101, Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 405; Pub. L. 105–240, §116, Sept. 25, 1998, 112 Stat. 1570; Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(e) [title I], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–231, 2681–235; Pub. L. 107–63, title I, (1), Nov. 5, 2001, 115 Stat. 418; Pub. L. 108–108, title I, (1), Nov. 10, 2003, 117 Stat. 1245; Pub. L. 110–161, div. F, title I, (2), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2101; Pub. L. 111–8, div. E, title I, Mar. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 704; Pub. L. 111–88, div. A, title I, Oct. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 2907; Pub. L. 112–74, div. E, title IV, §430, Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 1047; Pub. L. 113–6, div. F, title IV, §1403, Mar. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 419.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28–28e), referred to in subsecs. (a) and (d)(1)(B), probably means act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, 17 Stat. 91. That act was incorporated into the Revised Statutes as R.S. §§2319 to 2328, 2331, 2333 to 2337, and 2344, which are classified to sections 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 35, 37, 39 to 42, and 47 of this title. For complete classification of R.S. §§2319 to 2328, 2331, 2333 to 2337, and 2344 to the Code, see Tables.

Codification

Pub. L. 111–88, which directed the amendment of section 28f of title 30, United States Code, was executed by making the amendment to section 10101 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2009 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 110–161, which directed the amendment of section 28 of title 30, United States Code, "in section 28f(a)," was executed by making the amendment to section 10101 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2007 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 108–108, which directed the amendment of section 28 of title 30, United States Code, "in section 28f(a)," was executed by making the amendment to section 10101 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2003 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 107–63, which directed the amendment of section 28f of title 30, United States Code, was executed by making the amendment to section 10101 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2001 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 105–277, which directed the amendment of section 28f of title 30, United States Code, was executed by making the amendment to section 10101 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 1998 Amendment notes below.

Pub. L. 105–240, which directed the amendment of section 28f of title 30, United States Code, was executed by making the amendment to section 10101 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 1998 Amendment note below.

Amendments

2013—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 113–6, §1403(1), substituted "before, on, or after August 10, 1993" for "on or after August 10, 1993".

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 113–6, §1403(2), struck out "located" after "United States", substituted "subsection (a)(1)" for "subsection (a)", and inserted at end "Such claim maintenance fee shall be in lieu of the assessment work requirement contained in the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28 to 28e) and the related filing requirements contained in section 1744(a) and (c) of title 43."

2011—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 112–74, §430(1)(A), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and substituted "The holder of each unpatented lode mining claim, mill site, or tunnel site, located pursuant to the mining laws of the United States on or after August 10, 1993, shall pay to the Secretary of the Interior, on or before September 1 of each year, to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts, a claim maintenance fee of $100 per claim or site, respectively." for "The holder of each unpatented mining claim, mill, or tunnel site, located pursuant to the mining laws of the United States, whether located before, on or after August 10, 1993, shall pay to the Secretary of the Interior, on or before September 1 of each year, to the extent provided in advance in Appropriations Acts, a claim maintenance fee of $100 per claim or site".

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 112–74, §430(1)(B), added par. (2).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–74, §430(2), substituted "The claim main tenance fee under subsection (a) shall be paid for the year in which the location is made, at the time the location notice is recorded with the Bureau of Land Management." for "The claim maintenance fee payable pursuant to subsection (a) of this section for any assessment year shall be paid before the commencement of the assessment year, except that for the initial assessment year in which the location is made, the locator shall pay the claim maintenance fee at the time the location notice is recorded with the Bureau of Land Management."

2009—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–88 substituted ", to the extent provided in advance in Appropriations Acts," for "for years 2004 through 2008,". See Codification note above.

Pub. L. 111–8, which directed the removal of the modifications made by Pub. L. 110–161, was executed by inserting "for years 2004 through 2008" after "before September 1 of each year". See 2007 Amendment note below.

2007—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–161 struck out "for years 2004 through 2008" after "before September 1 of each year". See Codification note above.

2003—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–108 substituted "for years 2004 through 2008" for "for years 2002 through 2003". See Codification note above.

2001—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107–63 substituted "The holder of each unpatented mining claim, mill, or tunnel site, located pursuant to the mining laws of the United States, whether located before, on or after August 10, 1993, shall pay to the Secretary of the Interior, on or before September 1 of each year for years 2002 through 2003, a claim maintenance fee of $100 per claim or site" for "The holder of each unpatented mining claim, mill, or tunnel site, located pursuant to the mining laws of the United States, whether located before or after August 10, 1993, shall pay to the Secretary of the Interior, on or before September 1 of each year for years 1999 through 2001, a claim maintenance fee of $100 per claim or site." See Codification note above.

1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–277 added first sentence and struck out former first sentence which read as follows: "The holder of each unpatented mining claim, mill, or tunnel site located pursuant to the mining laws of the United States before October 1, 1998 shall pay the Secretary of the Interior, on or before September 1, 1999 a claim maintenance fee of $100 per claim site." See Codification note above.

Pub. L. 105–240 substituted "The holder of each unpatented mining claim, mill, or tunnel site located pursuant to the mining laws of the United States before October 1, 1998 shall pay the Secretary of the Interior, on or before September 1, 1999 a claim maintenance fee of $100 per claim site." for "The holder of each unpatented mining claim, mill or tunnel site located pursuant to the Mining Laws of the United States, whether located before or after August 10, 1993, shall pay to the Secretary of the Interior, on or before August 31 of each year, for years 1994 through 1998, a claim maintenance fee of $100 per claim." See Codification note above.

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 105–277 added par. (3). See Codification note above.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Similar Provisions

Similar provisions were contained in Pub. L. 102–381, title I, Oct. 5, 1992, 106 Stat. 1378, 1379.

1 See References in Text note below.

2 So in original. Probably should be "maintenance".
30 U.S.C. § 192a (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 3A: LEASES AND PROSPECTING PERMITS / Subchapter I: GENERAL PROVISIONS / Section 192a: Cancellation or modification of contracts
Cancellation or modification of contracts
Status: in_force

Where, under any existing contract entered into pursuant to the first proviso in the second paragraph of section 192 of this title, any refinery is required to pay a premium price for the purchase of Government royalty oil, such refinery may, at its option, by written notice to the Secretary of the Interior, elect either—

(1) to terminate such contract, the termination to take place at the end of the calendar month following the month in which such notice is given; or

(2) to retain such contract with the modifications, that (a) the price, on and after March 1, 1949, shall be as defined in the contract, without premium payments, (b) any credit thereby resulting from past premium payments shall be added to the refinery's account, and (c) the Secretary may, at his option, elect to terminate the contract as so modified, such termination to take place at the end of the third calendar month following the month in which written notice thereof is given by the Secretary.

(Sept. 1, 1949, ch. 529, §1, 63 Stat. 682.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of act Feb. 25, 1920, ch. 85, 41 Stat. 437, known as the Mineral Leasing Act, which comprises this chapter.
30 U.S.C. § 622 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 16: MINERAL DEVELOPMENT OF LANDS WITHDRAWN FOR POWER DEVELOPMENT / Section 622: Liability for damage, destruction, or loss of claim
Liability for damage, destruction, or loss of claim
Status: in_force

Prospecting and exploration for and the development and utilization of mineral resources authorized in this chapter shall be entered into or continued at the financial risk of the individual party or parties undertaking such work: Provided, That the United States, its permittees and licensees shall not be responsible or held liable or incur any liability for the damage, destruction, or loss of any mining claim, mill site, facility installed or erected, income, or other property or investments resulting from the actual use of such lands or portions thereof for power development at any time where such power development is made by or under the authority of the United States, except where such damage, destruction, or loss results from the negligence of the United States, its permittees and licensees.

(Aug. 11, 1955, ch. 797, §3, 69 Stat. 682.)
30 U.S.C. § 530 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 12: MULTIPLE MINERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE SAME TRACTS / Section 530: Definitions
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter "mineral leasing laws" shall mean the Act of February 25, 1920 (41 Stat. 437) [30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.]; the Act of April 17, 1926 (44 Stat. 301) [30 U.S.C. 271 et seq.]; the Act of February 7, 1927 (44 Stat. 1057) [30 U.S.C. 281 et seq.]; Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 [30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.]; and all Acts heretofore or hereafter enacted which are amendatory of or supplementary to any of the foregoing Acts; "Leasing Act minerals" shall mean all minerals which, upon August 13, 1954, are provided in the mineral leasing laws to be disposed of thereunder and all geothermal steam and associated geothermal resources which, upon the effective date of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, are provided in that Act to be disposed of thereunder; "Leasing Act operations" shall mean operations conducted under a lease, permit, or license issued under the mineral leasing laws in or incidental to prospecting for, drilling for, mining, treating, storing, transporting, or removing Leasing Act minerals; "mining operations" shall mean operations under any unpatented or patented mining claim or millsite in or incidental to prospecting for, mining, treating, storing, transporting, or removing minerals other than Leasing Act minerals and any other use under any claim of right or title based upon such mining claim or millsite; "Leasing Act operator" shall mean any party who shall conduct Leasing Act operations; "mining operator" shall mean any party who shall conduct mining operations; "Atomic Energy Act" shall mean the Act of August 1, 1946 (60 Stat. 755), as amended [42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.]; "Atomic Energy Commission" shall mean the United States Atomic Energy Commission established under the Atomic Energy Act or any amendments thereof; "fissionable source material" shall mean uranium, thorium, and all other materials referred to in section 5(b)(1) of the Atomic Energy Act, as amended, as reserved or to be reserved to the United States; "uranium lease application" shall mean an application for a uranium lease filed with said Commission with respect to lands which would be open for entry under the mining laws except for their being lands embraced within an offer, application, permit, or lease under the mineral leasing laws or lands known to be valuable for minerals leasable under those laws; "uranium lease" shall mean a uranium mining lease issued by said Commission with respect to any such lands; and "person" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity.

(Aug. 13, 1954, ch. 730, §11, 68 Stat. 716; Pub. L. 91–581, §26, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1573; Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §236(24), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 673.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Act of February 25, 1920, referred to in text, is act Feb. 25, 1920, ch. 85, 41 Stat. 437, known as the Mineral Leasing Act, which is classified generally to chapter 3A (§181 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 181 of this title and Tables.

Act of April 17, 1926, referred to in text, is act Apr. 17, 1926, ch. 158, 44 Stat. 301, which is classified generally to subchapter VIII (§271 et seq.) of chapter 3A of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Act of February 7, 1927, referred to in text, is act Feb. 7, 1927, ch. 66, 44 Stat. 1057, which enacted subchapter IX (§281 et seq.) of chapter 3A of this title, amended sections 181 and 193 of this title, and repealed subchapter VII (§141 et seq.) of chapter 3 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

The Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 91–581, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1566, which is classified principally to chapter 23 (§1001 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1001 of this title and Tables.

The effective date of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, referred to in text, probably means the date of enactment of Pub. L. 91–581, which was approved Dec. 24, 1970.

The Atomic Energy Act, referred to in text, is a reference to the Atomic Energy Act of 1946 (act Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 724, 60 Stat. 755), prior to its complete amendment and revision by act Aug. 30, 1954, ch. 1073, 68 Stat. 919, which is classified principally to chapter 23 (§2011 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For further details, see Codification note set out under sections 1801 to 1819 of Title 42 and Short Title note set out under section 2011 of Title 42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Section 5(b)(1) of the Atomic Energy Act, as amended, referred to in text, was formerly classified to section 1805(b)(1) of Title 42 and defined "source material". The term is defined in section 11(z) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, which is classified to section 2014(z) of Title 42.

Amendments

2005—Pub. L. 109–58 amended directory language of Pub. L. 91–581, §26. See 1970 Amendment note below.

1970—Pub. L. 91–581, §26, as amended by Pub. L. 109–58, redefined "mineral leasing laws" to exclude "the Act of October 20, 1914" and to include "Geothermal Steam Act of 1970" and "Leasing Act minerals" to include "all geothermal steam and associated geothermal resources which, upon the effective date of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, are provided in that Act to be disposed of thereunder".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

Atomic Energy Commission abolished and functions transferred by sections 5814 and 5841 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. See, also, Transfer of Functions notes set out under those sections.
30 U.S.C. § 541d (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 12A: ENTRY AND LOCATION ON COAL LANDS ON DISCOVERY OF SOURCE MATERIAL / Section 541d: Location of source materials by holders of coal leases
Location of source materials by holders of coal leases
Status: in_force

The holders of coal leases issued under the provision of the mineral leasing laws, including chapter 7 of this title, prior to August 11, 1955, or thereafter if based upon a prospecting permit issued prior to that date, upon the discovery during the term of such lease of valuable source material in any bed or deposit of lignite situated within the leased lands, shall have the exclusive right to locate such source material under the provisions of this chapter but the mining and disposal of such source material shall be subject to the operating provisions of the lease and to the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 [42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.]: Provided, That the provisions of this section shall not apply to coal prospecting, permits or leases on lands embraced within entered, granted or patented lands described in section 541c of this title.

(Aug. 11, 1955, ch. 795, §5, 69 Stat. 680.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, referred to in text, is act Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 724, as added by act Aug. 30, 1954, ch. 1073, §1, 68 Stat. 919, which is classified principally to chapter 23 (§2011 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2011 of Title 42 and Tables.
30 U.S.C. § 931 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 22: MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH / Subchapter IV: BLACK LUNG BENEFITS / Section 931: Benefits under State workmen's compensation laws
Benefits under State workmen's compensation laws
Status: in_force

(a) Filing

On and after January 1, 1974, any claim for benefits for death or total disability due to pneumoconiosis shall be filed pursuant to the applicable State workmen's compensation law, except that during any period when miners or their surviving widows, children, parents, brothers, or sisters, as the case may be, are not covered by a State workmen's compensation law which provides adequate coverage for pneumoconiosis, and in any case in which benefits based upon eligibility under paragraph (5) of section 921(c) of this title are involved.1 they shall be entitled to claim benefits under this part.

(b) Adequacy of compensation; listing of States providing adequate compensation; requisites for listing

(1) For purposes of this section, a State workmen's compensation law shall not be deemed to provide adequate coverage for pneumoconiosis during any period unless it is included in the list of State laws found by the Secretary to provide such adequate coverage during such period. The Secretary shall, no later than October 1, 1972, publish in the Federal Register a list of State workmen's compensation laws which provide adequate coverage for pneumoconiosis and shall revise and republish in the Federal Register such list from time to time, as may be appropriate to reflect changes in such State laws due to legislation or judicial or administrative interpretation.

(2) The Secretary shall include a State workmen's compensation law on such list during any period only if he finds that during such period under such law—

(A) benefits must be paid for total disability or death of a miner due to pneumoconiosis, except that (i) such law shall not be required to provide such benefits where the miner's last employment in a coal mine terminated before the Secretary's approval of the State law pursuant to this section; and (ii) each operator of a coal mine shall secure the payment of benefits pursuant to section 933 of this title with respect to any miner whose last employment in a coal mine terminated before the Secretary's approval of the State law pursuant to this section;

(B) the amount of such cash benefits is substantially equivalent to or greater than the amount of benefits prescribed by section 922(a) of this title;

(C) the standards for determining death or total disability due to pneumoconiosis are substantially equivalent to section 902(f) of this title and to those standards established under this part, and by the regulations of the Secretary promulgated under this part;

(D) any claim for benefits on account of total disability of a miner due to pneumoconiosis is deemed to be timely filed if such claim is filed within three years after a medical determination of total disability due to pneumoconiosis;

(E) there are in effect provisions with respect to prior and successor operators which are substantially equivalent to the provisions contained in section 932(i) of this title; and

(F) there are applicable such other provisions, regulations or interpretations, which are consistent with the provisions contained in Public Law 803, 69th Congress (44 Stat. 1424, approved March 4, 1927), as amended [33 U.S.C. 901 et seq.], which are applicable under section 932(a) of this title, but are not inconsistent with any of the criteria set forth in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of this paragraph, as the Secretary, in accordance with regulations promulgated by him, determines to be necessary or appropriate to assure adequate compensation for total disability or death due to pneumoconiosis.

The action of the Secretary in including or failing to include any State workmen's compensation law on such list shall be subject to judicial review exclusively in the United States court of appeals for the circuit in which the State is located or the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

(c) Publication in Federal Register; review of listings

Final regulations required for implementation of any amendments to this part shall be promulgated and published in the Federal Register at the earliest practicable date after the date of enactment of such amendments, and in no event later than the end of the sixth month following the month in which such amendments are enacted.

(Pub. L. 91–173, title IV, §421, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 795; Pub. L. 92–303, §§1(c)(1), 4(e), 5(3), (5), May 19, 1972, 86 Stat. 151, 154, 155; Pub. L. 95–239, §§3(b)(3), 6, Mar. 1, 1978, 92 Stat. 97, 98.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Public Law 803, 69th Congress, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(F), is act Mar. 4, 1927, ch. 509, 44 Stat. 1424, popularly known as the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, which is classified generally to chapter 18 (§901 et seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 901 of Title 33 and Tables.

Amendments

1978—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–239, §3(b)(3), inserted reference to cases in which benefits based upon eligibility under par. (5) of section 921(c) of this title are involved.

Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 95–239, §6(a), added the exceptions set out in cls. (i) and (ii).

Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 95–239, §6(b), substituted "established under this part, and by the regulations of the Secretary promulgated under this part" for "established under part B of this subchapter, and by the regulations of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare promulgated thereunder".

Subsec. (b)(2)(D). Pub. L. 95–239, §6(c), substituted "total disability of a miner due to pneumoconiosis is deemed to be timely filed if such claim is filed within three years after a medical determination of total disability due to pneumoconiosis" for "total disability or death of a miner due to pneumoconiosis is deemed to be timely filed if such claim is filed within three years of the discovery of total disability due to pneumoconiosis, or the date of such death, as the case may be".

1972—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 92–303, §§1(c)(1), 5(3), substituted "widows, children, parents, brothers, or sisters, as the case may be," for "widows" and "1974" for "1973".

Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 92–303, §4(e), substituted "section 902(f) of this title and to those standards established under part B of this subchapter" for "those established by section 921 of this title".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 92–303, §5(5), added subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–239 effective Mar. 1, 1978, see section 20(a) of Pub. L. 95–239, set out as a note under section 901 of this title.

Effective Date of 1972 Amendment

Amendment by section 4(e) of Pub. L. 92–303 effective Dec. 30, 1969, see section 4(g) of Pub. L. 92–303, set out as a note under section 921 of this title.

1 So in original. The period probably should be a comma.
30 U.S.C. § 303 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 5: LEASE OF OIL AND GAS DEPOSITS IN OR UNDER RAILROADS AND OTHER RIGHTS-OF-WAY / Section 303: Conditions precedent to award of lease; preferred class; bidding
Conditions precedent to award of lease; preferred class; bidding
Status: in_force

Prior to the award of any lease under section 301 of this title, the Secretary of the Interior shall notify the owner or lessee of adjoining lands and allow him a reasonable time, to be fixed in the notice given, within which to submit an offer or bid of the amount or percentage of compensatory royalty that such owner will agree to pay for the extraction through wells on his or its adjoining land, of the oil or gas under and from such adjoining right of way, and at the same time afford the holder of the railroad or other right of way a like opportunity within the same time to submit its bid or offer as to the amount or percentage of royalty it will agree to pay, if a lease for the extraction of the oil and gas deposits under the right of way be awarded to the holder of such right of way. In case of competing offers by the said parties in interest, the Secretary shall award the right to extract the oil and gas to the bidder, duly qualified, making the offer in his opinion most advantageous to the United States. In case but one bid or offer is received after notice duly given, he may, in his discretion, award the right to extract the oil and gas to such bidder.

(May 21, 1930, ch. 307, §3, 46 Stat. 374.)
30 U.S.C. § 878 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 22: MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH / Subchapter III: INTERIM MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS FOR UNDERGROUND COAL MINES / Section 878: Definitions
Definitions
Status: in_force

For the purpose of this subchapter and subchapter II of this chapter, the term—

(a) "certified" or "registered" as applied to any person means a person certified or registered by the State in which the coal mine is located to perform duties prescribed by such subchapters, except that, in a State where no program of certification or registration is provided or where the program does not meet at least minimum Federal standards established by the Secretary, such certification or registration shall be by the Secretary;

(b) "qualified person" means, as the context requires,

(1) an individual deemed qualified by the Secretary and designated by the operator to make tests and examinations required by this chapter; and

(2) an individual deemed, in accordance with minimum requirements to be established by the Secretary, qualified by training, education, and experience, to perform electrical work, to maintain electrical equipment, and to conduct examinations and tests of all electrical equipment;

(c) "permissible" as applied to—

(1) equipment used in the operation of a coal mine, means equipment, other than permissible electric face equipment, to which an approval plate, label, or other device is attached as authorized by the Secretary and which meets specifications which are prescribed by the Secretary for the construction and maintenance of such equipment and are designed to assure that such equipment will not cause a mine explosion or a mine fire,

(2) explosives, shot firing units, or blasting devices used in such mine, means explosives, shot firing units, or blasting devices which meet specifications which are prescribed by the Secretary, and

(3) the manner of use of equipment or explosives, shot firing units, and blasting devices, means the manner of use prescribed by the Secretary;

(d) "rock dust" means pulverized limestone, dolomite, gypsum, anhydrite, shale, adobe, or other inert material, preferably light colored, 100 per centum of which will pass through a sieve having twenty meshes per linear inch and 70 per centum or more of which will pass through a sieve having two hundred meshes per linear inch; the particles of which when wetted and dried will not cohere to form a cake which will not be dispersed into separate particles by a light blast of air; and which does not contain more than 5 per centum of combustible matter or more than a total of 4 per centum of free and combined silica (SiO2), or, where the Secretary finds that such silica concentrations are not available, which does not contain more than 5 per centum of free and combined silica;

(e) "anthracite" means coals with a volatile ratio equal to 0.12 or less;

(f) "volatile ratio" means volatile matter content divided by the volatile matter plus the fixed carbon;

(g)(1) "working face" means any place in a coal mine in which work of extracting coal from its natural deposit in the earth is performed during the mining cycle,

(2) "working place" means the area of a coal mine inby the last open crosscut,

(3) "working section" means all areas of the coal mine from the loading point of the section to and including the working faces,

(4) "active workings" means any place in a coal mine where miners are normally required to work or travel;

(h) "abandoned areas" means sections, panels, and other areas that are not ventilated and examined in the manner required for working places under section 863 of this title;

(i) "permissible" as applied to electric face equipment means all electrically operated equipment taken into or used inby the last open crosscut of an entry or a room of any coal mine the electrical parts of which, including, but not limited to, associated electrical equipment, components, and accessories, are designed, constructed, and installed, in accordance with the specifications of the Secretary, to assure that such equipment will not cause a mine explosion or mine fire, and the other features of which are designed and constructed, in accordance with the specifications of the Secretary, to prevent, to the greatest extent possible, other accidents in the use of such equipment; and the regulations of the Secretary or the Director of the United States Bureau of Mines in effect on the operative date of this subchapter relating to the requirements for investigation, testing, approval, certification, and acceptance of such equipment as permissible shall continue in effect until modified or superseded by the Secretary, except that the Secretary shall provide procedures, including, where feasible, testing, approval, certification, and acceptance in the field by an authorized representative of the Secretary, to facilitate compliance by an operator with the requirements of section 865(a) of this title within the periods prescribed therein;

(j) "low voltage" means up to and including 660 volts; "medium voltage" means voltages from 661 to 1,000 volts; and "high voltage" means more than 1,000 volts;

(k) Repealed. Pub. L. 95–164, title II, §202(b), Nov. 9, 1977, 91 Stat. 1317.

(l) "coal mine" includes areas of adjoining mines connected underground.

(Pub. L. 91–173, title III, §318, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 791; Pub. L. 95–164, title II, §202(b), Nov. 9, 1977, 91 Stat. 1317; Pub. L. 102–285, §10(b), May 18, 1992, 106 Stat. 172.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in par. (b)(1), was in the original "this Act", meaning Pub. L. 91–173, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 742, known as the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 801 of this title and Tables.

For the operative date of this subchapter, referred to in par. (i), see section 509 of Pub. L. 91–173, set out as an Effective Date note under section 801 of this title.

Amendments

1977—Par. (k). Pub. L. 95–164 struck out par. (k) which defined "respirable dust" as dust particles 5 microns or less in size.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

"United States Bureau of Mines" substituted for "Bureau of Mines" in par. (i) pursuant to section 10(b) of Pub. L. 102–285, set out as a note under section 1 of this title. For provisions relating to closure and transfer of functions of the United States Bureau of Mines, see Transfer of Functions note set out under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 1977 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–164 effective Nov. 9, 1977, see section 307 of Pub. L. 95–164, set out as a note under section 801 of this title.

Effective Date

Section operative 90 days after Dec. 30, 1969, except to the extent an earlier date is specifically provided for in Pub. L. 91–173, see section 509 of Pub. L. 91–173, set out as a note under section 801 of this title.
30 U.S.C. § 815 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 22: MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH / Subchapter I: GENERAL / Section 815: Procedure for enforcement
Procedure for enforcement
Status: in_force

(a) Notification of civil penalty; contest

If, after an inspection or investigation, the Secretary issues a citation or order under section 814 of this title, he shall, within a reasonable time after the termination of such inspection or investigation, notify the operator by certified mail of the civil penalty proposed to be assessed under section 820(a) of this title for the violation cited and that the operator has 30 days within which to notify the Secretary that he wishes to contest the citation or proposed assessment of penalty. A copy of such notification shall be sent by mail to the representative of miners in such mine. If, within 30 days from the receipt of the notification issued by the Secretary, the operator fails to notify the Secretary that he intends to contest the citation or the proposed assessment of penalty, and no notice is filed by any miner or representative of miners under subsection (d) of this section within such time, the citation and the proposed assessment of penalty shall be deemed a final order of the Commission and not subject to review by any court or agency. Refusal by the operator or his agent to accept certified mail containing a citation and proposed assessment of penalty under this subsection shall constitute receipt thereof within the meaning of this subsection.

(b) Failure of operator to correct violation; notification; contest; temporary relief

(1)(A) If the Secretary has reason to believe that an operator has failed to correct a violation for which a citation has been issued within the period permitted for its correction, the Secretary shall notify the operator by certified mail of such failure and of the penalty proposed to be assessed under section 820(b) of this title by reason of such failure and that the operator has 30 days within which to notify the Secretary that he wishes to contest the Secretary's notification of the proposed assessment of penalty. A copy of such notification of the proposed assessment of penalty shall at the same time be sent by mail to the representative of the mine employees. If, within 30 days from the receipt of notification of proposed assessment of penalty issued by the Secretary, the operator fails to notify the Secretary that he intends to contest the notification of proposed assessment of penalty, such notification shall be deemed a final order of the Commission and not subject to review by any court or agency. Refusal by the operator or his agent to accept certified mail containing a notification of proposed assessment of penalty issued under this subsection shall constitute receipt thereof within the meaning of this subsection.

(B) In determining whether to propose a penalty to be assessed under section 820(b) of this title, the Secretary shall consider the operator's history of previous violations, the appropriateness of such penalty to the size of the business of the operator charged, whether the operator was negligent, the effect on the operator's ability to continue in business, the gravity of the violation, and the demonstrated good faith of the operator charged in attempting to achieve rapid compliance after notification of a violation.

(2) An applicant may file with the Commission a written request that the Commission grant temporary relief from any modification or termination of any order or from any order issued under section 814 of this title together with a detailed statement giving the reasons for granting such relief. The Commission may grant such relief under such conditions as it may prescribe, if—

(A) a hearing has been held in which all parties were given an opportunity to be heard;

(B) the applicant shows that there is substantial likelihood that the findings of the Commission will be favorable to the applicant; and

(C) such relief will not adversely affect the health and safety of miners.

No temporary relief shall be granted in the case of a citation issued under subsection (a) or (f) of section 814 of this title. The Commission shall provide a procedure for expedited consideration of applications for temporary relief under this paragraph.

(c) Discrimination or interference prohibited; complaint; investigation; determination; hearing

(1) No person shall discharge or in any manner discriminate against or cause to be discharged or cause discrimination against or otherwise interfere with the exercise of the statutory rights of any miner, representative of miners or applicant for employment in any coal or other mine subject to this chapter because such miner, representative of miners or applicant for employment has filed or made a complaint under or related to this chapter, including a complaint notifying the operator or the operator's agent, or the representative of the miners at the coal or other mine of an alleged danger or safety or health violation in a coal or other mine, or because such miner, representative of miners or applicant for employment is the subject of medical evaluations and potential transfer under a standard published pursuant to section 811 of this title or because such miner, representative of miners or applicant for employment has instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding under or related to this chapter or has testified or is about to testify in any such proceeding, or because of the exercise by such miner, representative of miners or applicant for employment on behalf of himself or others of any statutory right afforded by this chapter.

(2) Any miner or applicant for employment or representative of miners who believes that he has been discharged, interfered with, or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of this subsection may, within 60 days after such violation occurs, file a complaint with the Secretary alleging such discrimination. Upon receipt of such complaint, the Secretary shall forward a copy of the complaint to the respondent and shall cause such investigation to be made as he deems appropriate. Such investigation shall commence within 15 days of the Secretary's receipt of the complaint, and if the Secretary finds that such complaint was not frivolously brought, the Commission, on an expedited basis upon application of the Secretary, shall order the immediate reinstatement of the miner pending final order on the complaint. If upon such investigation, the Secretary determines that the provisions of this subsection have been violated, he shall immediately file a complaint with the Commission, with service upon the alleged violator and the miner, applicant for employment, or representative of miners alleging such discrimination or interference and propose an order granting appropriate relief. The Commission shall afford an opportunity for a hearing (in accordance with section 554 of title 5 but without regard to subsection (a)(3) of such section) and thereafter shall issue an order, based upon findings of fact, affirming, modifying, or vacating the Secretary's proposed order, or directing other appropriate relief. Such order shall become final 30 days after its issuance. The Commission shall have authority in such proceedings to require a person committing a violation of this subsection to take such affirmative action to abate the violation as the Commission deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, the rehiring or reinstatement of the miner to his former position with back pay and interest. The complaining miner, applicant, or representative of miners may present additional evidence on his own behalf during any hearing held pursuant to his 1 paragraph.

(3) Within 90 days of the receipt of a complaint filed under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall notify, in writing, the miner, applicant for employment, or representative of miners of his determination whether a violation has occurred. If the Secretary, upon investigation, determines that the provisions of this subsection have not been violated, the complainant shall have the right, within 30 days of notice of the Secretary's determination, to file an action in his own behalf before the Commission, charging discrimination or interference in violation of paragraph (1). The Commission shall afford an opportunity for a hearing (in accordance with section 554 of title 5 but without regard to subsection (a)(3) of such section), and thereafter shall issue an order, based upon findings of fact, dismissing or sustaining the complainant's charges and, if the charges are sustained, granting such relief as it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, an order requiring the rehiring or reinstatement of the miner to his former position with back pay and interest or such remedy as may be appropriate. Such order shall become final 30 days after its issuance. Whenever an order is issued sustaining the complainant's charges under this subsection, a sum equal to the aggregate amount of all costs and expenses (including attorney's fees) as determined by the Commission to have been reasonably incurred by the miner, applicant for employment or representative of miners for, or in connection with, the institution and prosecution of such proceedings shall be assessed against the person committing such violation. Proceedings under this section shall be expedited by the Secretary and the Commission. Any order issued by the Commission under this paragraph shall be subject to judicial review in accordance with section 816 of this title. Violations by any person of paragraph (1) shall be subject to the provisions of sections 818 and 820(a) of this title.

(d) Contest proceedings; hearing; findings of fact; affirmance, modification, or vacatur of citation, order, or proposed penalty; procedure before Commission

If, within 30 days of receipt thereof, an operator of a coal or other mine notifies the Secretary that he intends to contest the issuance or modification of an order issued under section 814 of this title, or citation or a notification of proposed assessment of a penalty issued under subsection (a) or (b) of this section, or the reasonableness of the length of abatement time fixed in a citation or modification thereof issued under section 814 of this title, or any miner or representative of miners notifies the Secretary of an intention to contest the issuance, modification, or termination of any order issued under section 814 of this title, or the reasonableness of the length of time set for abatement by a citation or modification thereof issued under section 814 of this title, the Secretary shall immediately advise the Commission of such notification, and the Commission shall afford an opportunity for a hearing (in accordance with section 554 of title 5, but without regard to subsection (a)(3) of such section), and thereafter shall issue an order, based on findings of fact, affirming, modifying, or vacating the Secretary's citation, order, or proposed penalty, or directing other appropriate relief. Such order shall become final 30 days after its issuance. The rules of procedure prescribed by the Commission shall provide affected miners or representatives of affected miners an opportunity to participate as parties to hearings under this section. The Commission shall take whatever action is necessary to expedite proceedings for hearing appeals of orders issued under section 814 of this title.

(Pub. L. 91–173, title I, §105, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 753; Pub. L. 95–164, title II, §201, Nov. 9, 1977, 91 Stat. 1303.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), was in the original "this Act", meaning Pub. L. 91–173, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 742, known as the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 801 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1977—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–164 substituted provisions under which the Secretary must notify the operator of the civil penalty he proposes to assess following the issuance of a citation or order and the operator must give notice that he will contest the citation or proposed assessment for provisions under which an operator was required to apply for review of an order issued under section 814 of this title and under which an investigation was made, hearings held, and information presented.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–164 substituted provisions relating to the steps to be taken following the failure of the operator to correct violations, including provisions relating to temporary relief formerly contained in subsec. (d), for provisions requiring the Secretary to make findings of fact and to issue a written decision upon receiving the report of an investigation.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95–164 added subsec. (c). Former subsec. (c), directing the Secretary to take action under this section as promptly as possible, was incorporated into a part of par. (3).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 95–164 added subsec. (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (b)(2).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1977 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–164 effective 120 days after Nov. 9, 1977, except as otherwise provided, see section 307 of Pub. L. 95–164, set out as a note under section 801 of this title.

Effective Date

Section operative 90 days after Dec. 30, 1969, except to the extent an earlier date is specifically provided for in Pub. L. 91–173, see section 509 of Pub. L. 91–173, set out as a note under section 801 of this title.

1 So in original. Probably should be "this".
30 U.S.C. § 302 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 5: LEASE OF OIL AND GAS DEPOSITS IN OR UNDER RAILROADS AND OTHER RIGHTS-OF-WAY / Section 302: Assignment of lease; subletting
Assignment of lease; subletting
Status: in_force

The right conferred by this chapter may, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, be assigned or sublet by the owner thereof to any corporation, firm, association, or individual.

(May 21, 1930, ch. 307, §2, 46 Stat. 373.)
30 U.S.C. § 819 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 22: MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH / Subchapter I: GENERAL / Section 819: Posting of orders and decisions
Posting of orders and decisions
Status: in_force

(a) Mine office; bulletin board

At each coal or other mine there shall be maintained an office with a conspicuous sign designating it as the office of such mine. There shall be a bulletin board at such office or located at a conspicuous place near an entrance of such mine, in such manner that orders, citations, notices and decisions required by law or regulation to be posted, may be posted thereon, and be easily visible to all persons desiring to read them, and be protected against damage by weather and against unauthorized removal. A copy of any order, citation, notice or decision required by this chapter to be given to an operator shall be delivered to the office of the affected mine, and a copy shall be immediately posted on the bulletin board of such mine by the operator or his agent.

(b) Distribution of orders, citations, notices, and decisions

The Secretary shall (1) cause a copy of any order, citation, notice, or decision required by this chapter to be given to an operator to be mailed immediately to a representative of the miners in the affected coal or other mine, and (2) cause a copy thereof to be mailed to the public official or agency of the State charged with administering State laws, if any, relating to health or safety in such mine. Such notice, order, citation, or decision shall be available for public inspection.

(c) Compliance

In order to insure prompt compliance with any notice, order, citation, or decision issued under this chapter, the authorized representative of the Secretary may deliver such notice, order, citation, or decision to an agent of the operator, and such agent shall immediately take appropriate measures to insure compliance with such notice, order, citation, or decision.

(d) Filing; designation of health and safety officers

Each operator of a coal or other mine subject to this chapter shall file with the Secretary the name and address of such mine and the name and address of the person who controls or operates the mine. Any revisions in such names or addresses shall be promptly filed with the Secretary. Each operator of a coal or other mine subject to this chapter shall designate a responsible official at such mine as the principal officer in charge of health and safety at such mine, and such official shall receive a copy of any notice, order, citation, or decision issued under this chapter affecting such mine. In any case where the mine is subject to the control of any person not directly involved in the daily operations of the coal or other mine, there shall be filed with the Secretary the name and address of such person and the name and address of a principal official of such person who shall have overall responsibility for the conduct of an effective health and safety program at any coal or other mine subject to the control of such person, and such official shall receive a copy of any notice, order, citation, or decision issued affecting any such mine. The mere designation of a health and safety official under this subsection shall not be construed as making such official subject to any penalty under this chapter.

(Pub. L. 91–173, title I, §109, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 756; Pub. L. 95–164, title II, §201, Nov. 9, 1977, 91 Stat. 1310.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this Act", meaning Pub. L. 91–173, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 742, known as the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 801 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1977—Pub. L. 95–164 substituted provisions relating to the posting of orders and decisions for provisions setting out an enumeration of penalties, which provisions, as revised, were transferred to section 820 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1977 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–164 effective 120 days after Nov. 9, 1977, except as otherwise provided, see section 307 of Pub. L. 95–164, set out as a note under section 801 of this title.

Effective Date

Section operative 90 days after Dec. 30, 1969, except to the extent an earlier date is specifically provided for in Pub. L. 91–173, see section 509 of Pub. L. 91–173, set out as a note under section 801 of this title.
30 U.S.C. § 1009 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 23: GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES / Section 1009: Relinquishment of geothermal rights
Relinquishment of geothermal rights
Status: in_force

The holder of any geothermal lease at any time may make and file in the appropriate land office a written relinquishment of all rights under such lease or of any legal subdivision of the area covered by such lease. Such relinquishment shall be effective as of the date of its filing. Thereupon the lessee shall be released of all obligations thereafter accruing under said lease with respect to the lands relinquished, but no such relinquishment shall release such lessee, or his surety or bond, from any liability for breach of any obligation of the lease, other than an obligation to drill, accrued at the date of the relinquishment, or from the continued obligation, in accordance with the applicable lease terms and regulations, (1) to make payment of all accrued rentals and royalties, (2) to place all wells on the relinquished lands in condition for suspension or abandonment, and (3) to protect or restore substantially the surface and surface resources.

(Pub. L. 91–581, §10, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1570; Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §236(10), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 672.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2005—Pub. L. 109–58 inserted section catchline.
30 U.S.C. § 615 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 15: SURFACE RESOURCES / Subchapter II: MINING LOCATIONS / Section 615: Limitation of existing rights
Limitation of existing rights
Status: in_force

Nothing in this subchapter and sections 601 and 603 of this title shall be construed in any manner to limit or restrict or to authorize the limitation or restriction of any existing rights of any claimant under any valid mining claim heretofore located, except as such rights may be limited or restricted as a result of a proceeding pursuant to section 613 of this title, or as a result of a waiver and relinquishment pursuant to section 614 of this title; and nothing in this subchapter and sections 601 and 603 of this title shall be construed in any manner to authorized inclusion in any patent hereafter issued under the mining laws of the United States for any mining claim heretofore or hereafter located, of any reservation, limitation, or restriction not otherwise authorized by law, or to limit or repeal any existing authority to include any reservation, limitation, or restriction in any such patent, or to limit or restrict any use of the lands covered by any patented or unpatented mining claim by the United States, its lessees, permittees, and licensees which is otherwise authorized by law.

(July 23, 1955, ch. 375, §7, 69 Stat. 372.)
30 U.S.C. § 262 (2024) — Title 30: MINERAL LANDS AND MINING / Chapter 3A: LEASES AND PROSPECTING PERMITS / Subchapter VII: SODIUM / Section 262: Leases to permittees; survey of lands; royalties and annual rentals
Leases to permittees; survey of lands; royalties and annual rentals
Status: in_force

Upon showing to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Interior that valuable deposits of one of the substances enumerated in section 261 of this title have been discovered by the permittee within the area covered by his permit and that such land is chiefly valuable therefor, the permittee shall be entitled to a lease for any or all of the land embraced in the prospecting permit at a royalty of not less than 2 per centum of the quantity or gross value of the output of sodium compounds and other related products at the point of shipment to market; the lands in such lease to be taken in compact form by legal subdivisions of the public land surveys or, if the land be not surveyed, by survey executed at the cost of the permittee in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior. Lands known to contain valuable deposits of one of the substances enumerated in section 261 of this title and not covered by permits or leases shall be subject to lease by the Secretary of the Interior through advertisement, competitive bidding, or such other methods as he may by general regulations adopt and in such areas as he shall fix, not exceeding two thousand five hundred and sixty acres. All leases under this section shall be conditioned upon the payment by the lessee of such royalty as may be fixed in the lease, not less than 2 per centum of the quantity or gross value of the output of sodium compounds and other related products at the point of shipment to market, and the payment in advance of a rental of 25 cents per acre for the first calendar year or fraction thereof, 50 cents per acre for the second, third, fourth, and fifth calendar years respectively; and $1 per acre per annum thereafter during the continuance of the lease, such rental for any one year to be credited against royalties accruing for that year. Leases under this section shall be for a period of twenty years, with preferential right in the lessee to renew for successive periods of ten years upon such reasonable terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior unless otherwise provided by law at the expiration of such period: Provided, That nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the mining and sale of sodium compounds under potassium leases issued pursuant to subchapter VII [§141 et seq.] of chapter 3 of this title and subchapter IX of this chapter, nor the mining and sale of potassium compounds as a byproduct from sodium leases taken under this section: Provided further, That on application by any lessee the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to modify the rental and royalty provisions stipulated in any existing sodium lease to conform to the provisions of this section.

(Feb. 25, 1920, ch. 85, §24, 41 Stat. 447; Dec. 11, 1928, ch. 19, 45 Stat. 1019.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Subchapter VII [§141 et seq.] of chapter 3 of this title, referred to in text, was repealed by act Feb. 7, 1927, ch. 66, §6, 44 Stat. 1058.

Subchapter IX of this chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "act February 7, 1927 (Forty-fourth Statutes at Large, page 1057)" meaning act Feb. 7, 1927, ch. 66, 44 Stat. 1057, which enacted subchapter IX (§281 et seq.) of this chapter, amended sections 181 and 193 of this title, and repealed subchapter VII (§141 et seq.) of chapter 3 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Amendments

1928—Act Dec. 11, 1928, amended section generally.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Soda Ash Royalties

Pub. L. 113–40, §10(e), Oct. 2, 2013, 127 Stat. 546, provided that: "Notwithstanding section 24 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 262) and the terms of any lease under that Act [30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.], the royalty rate on the quantity of gross value of the output of sodium compounds and related products at the point of shipment to market from Federal land in the 2-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 2, 2013] shall be 4 percent."

Soda Ash Royalty Reduction

Pub. L. 109–338, title I, Oct. 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 1786, provided that:

"SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

"This title may be cited as the 'Soda Ash Royalty Reduction Act of 2006'.

"SEC. 102. REDUCTION IN ROYALTY RATE ON SODA ASH.

"Notwithstanding section 102(a)(9) of the Federal Land Policy [and] Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701(a)(9)), section 24 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 262), and the terms of any lease under that Act [30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.], the royalty rate on the quantity or gross value of the output of sodium compounds and related products at the point of shipment to market from Federal land in the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 12, 2006] shall be 2 percent.

"SEC. 103. STUDY.

"After the end of the 4-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 12, 2006], and before the end of the 5-year period beginning on that date, the Secretary of the Interior shall report to Congress on the effects of the royalty reduction under this title, including—

"(1) the amount of sodium compounds and related products at the point of shipment to market from Federal land during that 4-year period;

"(2) the number of jobs that have been created or maintained during the royalty reduction period;

"(3) the total amount of royalty paid to the United States on the quantity or gross value of the output of sodium compounds and related products at the point of shipment to market produced during that 4-year period, and the portion of such royalty paid to States; and

"(4) a recommendation of whether the reduced royalty rate should apply after the end of the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act."