Designation of any area as unsuitable for all or certain types of surface coal mining operations pursuant to Section 28 of the Act and regulations of this Chapter does not prohibit coal exploration operations in the area, if conducted in accordance with the Act and other applicable requirements. Exploration operations on any lands designated unsuitable for surface coal mining operations must be approved by the State Regulatory Authority to insure that exploration does not interfere with any value for which the area has been designated unsuitable for surface coal mining.
Author:
Ala. Admin. Code r. 880-X-7C-.06
Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § § 9-16-71, 73, 74, 75, 80, 87, 92, 96.