Section 53-9-41 - Coal exploration permit; application; limitation on removal; penalty for disturbing land surface(1) Coal exploration operations which substantially disturb the natural land surface shall be conducted in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the commission governing those operations. The regulations shall require any person planning to conduct exploration operations to obtain an exploration permit from the permit board before conducting those operations. The permit application shall require the applicant to give a description of the exploration area and the period of proposed exploration, provisions for reclamation in accordance with the performance standards in the regulations promulgated under Section 53-9-45 of all lands disturbed in exploration, including excavations, roads, drill holes and the removal of necessary facilities and equipment, and any other information as the permit board or commission may require.(2) Any person who conducts any coal exploration activities which substantially disturb the natural land surface in violation of this section or regulations promulgated under this chapter shall be subject to Sections 53-9-55 through 53-9-57 and Section 53-9-63.(3) No operator shall remove more than two hundred fifty (250) tons of coal under an exploration permit without the specific written approval of the permit board.Laws, 1979, ch. 477, § 17; Laws, 1990, ch. 442, § 14; Laws, 1997, ch. 306, § 20, eff. 3/10/1997.