TCA § 59-8-111 — Permits for underground coal mining. [Contingent effective date, see Compiler's Notes.]
Underground coal mining cannot be conducted until a permit is obtained, required fees are paid, and a performance bond is posted.
No person shall conduct underground coal mining operations until that person obtains a permit limiting and controlling the surface effects of the mining, pays the fees required by § 59-8-107, and posts a performance bond under § 59-8-108 conditioned on satisfactory reclamation of the surface disturbances of the underground coal mining operations. The board shall promulgate rules under § 59-8-103(b)(1), that are designed to minimize the surface effects of underground coal mining operations; however, in adopting rules, the board shall consider the distinct difference between surface coal mining and underground coal mining. The rules shall not conflict with nor supersede the federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 (30 U.S.C. § 801, et seq.), nor any regulation issued pursuant to that act. Each permit issued under this part and relating to underground coal mining shall require the permittee and operator to meet the standards that the board prescribes by rules promulgated under § 59-8-103(b)(1). In order to protect the stability of the land, the commissioner shall suspend underground coal mining under urbanized areas, cities, towns, and communities, and adjacent to industrial or commercial buildings, major impoundments, or permanent streams, if the commissioner finds an imminent danger to inhabitants of the urbanized areas, cities, towns, and communities. The requirements of this part relating to permits, bonds, inspections and enforcement, public review, and administrative and judicial review shall apply to surface operations and surface impacts incidental to an underground coal mine with modifications to permit application requirements, permit approval or denial procedures, and bond requirements that are necessary to accommodate the distinct difference between surface coal mining and underground coal mining. The board shall promulgate rules for the modifications for underground coal mines under § 59-8-103(b)(1).