Section 225 ILCS 720/2.06 - Duration of Permit(a) A permit entitles the permittee to engage in the mining operations described in the permit for the period determined by the Department and stated in the permit. Except as provided by subsection (b) of this Section, such period shall not exceed five years from the date the permit is issued.(b) If the applicant requests a specified permit term longer than five years in an application, and if the applicant demonstrates that such specified permit term is reasonably needed to allow the applicant to obtain necessary financing for equipment and the opening of the proposed mining operation and if the application is in all respects full and complete for such specified longer term, the Department may grant a permit for such longer permit term.(c) A permit shall terminate if the permittee has not commenced the mining operations covered by the permit within three years after the date on which the permit is issued. The Department may grant reasonable extensions of time to avoid automatic termination at the expiration of three years under this subsection if the applicant shows that such extensions are necessary because commencement of mining operations was precluded by litigation or other conditions beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the permittee. No such extension shall extend the time for commencement beyond the period of the permit. With respect to coal to be mined for use in a specific synthetic fuel facility or specific major electric generating facility, the permittee shall be deemed to have commenced mining operations for purposes of this subsection at such time as the construction of the synthetic fuel or generating facility is initiated.