Section 225 ILCS 720/7.02 - Criteria for Designating Lands Unsuitable for Mining Operations(a) An area shall be designated as unsuitable for all or certain types of mining operations if the Department determines that reclamation in accordance with the requirements of this Act is not technologically and economically feasible.(b) An area may be designated unsuitable for all or certain types of mining operations if such operations would: (1) be incompatible with existing state or local land use plans; or(2) affect fragile or historic lands on which such operations could result in significant damage to important historic, cultural, scientific, and esthetic values and natural systems; or(3) affect renewable resource lands in which such operations could result in a substantial loss or reduction of long-range productivity of water supply or of food or fiber products; or(4) affect natural hazard lands in which such operations could substantially endanger life and property, such lands to include areas subject to frequent flooding and areas of unstable geology.(c) Designation of any area as unsuitable for all or certain types of mining operations does not of itself prohibit mineral exploration of such area. Exploration on lands designated unsuitable for mining must be approved by the Department to ensure that exploration does not interfere with any value for which the area has been designated unsuitable for mining operations. The Department shall by rule prescribe procedures for such determinations.(d) The Department shall adopt rules which define terms used in this Section, which establish criteria for the designation of lands under this Section to accomplish the purposes of this Act, and which provide for determinations under this Section to be integrated as closely as possible with present and future governmental land use planning and regulation processes.(e) The requirements of this Section, and of Sections 7.03 and 7.04, do not apply to lands on which mining operations were being conducted on August 3, 1977, or under a permit issued pursuant to this Act, or where substantial legal and financial commitments in such operation were in existence prior to January 4, 1977.