30 U.S.C. § 203 : US Code - Section 203: Additional lands or deposits

Search 30 U.S.C. § 203 : US Code - Section 203: Additional lands or deposits

(a) In general
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), on a finding by the
Secretary under paragraph (2), any person, association, or
corporation holding a lease of coal lands or coal deposits under
the provisions of this chapter may with the approval of the
Secretary of the Interior,(!1) secure modifications of the original
coal lease by including additional coal lands or coal deposits
contiguous or cornering to those embraced in the lease.
(2) A finding referred to in paragraph (1) is a finding by the
Secretary that the modifications -
(A) would be in the interest of the United States;
(B) would not displace a competitive interest in the lands; and
(C) would not include lands or deposits that can be developed
as part of another potential or existing operation.
(3) In no case shall the total area added by modifications to an
existing coal lease under paragraph (1) -
(A) exceed 960 acres; or
(B) add acreage larger than that in the original lease.
(b) Terms and conditions
The Secretary shall prescribe terms and conditions which shall be
consistent with this chapter and applicable to all of the acreage
in such modified lease except that nothing in this section shall
require the Secretary to apply the production or mining plan
requirements of sections 202a(2) and 207(c) of this title.
(c) Royalties
The minimum royalty provisions of section 207(a) of this title
shall not apply to any lands covered by this modified lease prior
to a modification until the term of the original lease or extension
thereof which became effective prior to the effective date of this
Act has expired.