# 30 C.F.R. § 761.12 (2026): Exception for existing operations

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T30_P761_S761_12

## Section

- **Citation:** 30 C.F.R. § 761.12 (2026)
- **Heading:** Exception for existing operations
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 30 CFR: Mineral Resources / Chapter VII: OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR / Part 761: AREAS DESIGNATED BY ACT OF CONGRESS / § 761.12: § 761.12   Exception for existing operations.

## Text

The prohibitions and limitations of § 761.11 do not apply to:
(a) Surface coal mining operations for which a valid permit, issued under Subchapter G of this chapter or an approved State regulatory program, exists when the land comes under the protection of § 761.11. This exception applies only to lands within the permit area as it exists when the land comes under the protection of § 761.11.
(b) With respect to operations subject to Subchapter B of this chapter, lands upon which validly authorized surface coal mining operations exist when the land comes under the protection of 30 U.S.C. 1272(e) or § 761.11.
[64 FR 70833, Dec. 17, 1999]

## Nearby sections

- [30 C.F.R. § 761.1 (2026) § 761.1   Scope.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T30_P761_S761_1.md)
- [30 C.F.R. § 761.3 (2026) § 761.3   Authority.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T30_P761_S761_3.md)
- [30 C.F.R. § 761.5 (2026) § 761.5   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T30_P761_S761_5.md)
- [30 C.F.R. § 761.10 (2026) § 761.10   Information collection.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T30_P761_S761_10.md)
- [30 C.F.R. § 761.11 (2026) § 761.11   Areas where surface coal mining operations are prohibited or limited.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T30_P761_S761_11.md)
- [30 C.F.R. § 761.12 (2026) § 761.12   Exception for existing operations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T30_P761_S761_12.md)
- [30 C.F.R. § 761.13 (2026) § 761.13   Procedures for compatibility findings for surface coal mining operations on Federal lands in national forests.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T30_P761_S761_13.md)
- [30 C.F.R. § 761.14 (2026) § 761.14   Procedures for relocating or closing a public road or waiving the prohibition on surface coal mining operations within the buffer zone of a public road.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T30_P761_S761_14.md)
- [30 C.F.R. § 761.15 (2026) § 761.15   Procedures for waiving the prohibition on surface coal mining operations within the buffer zone of an occupied dwelling.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T30_P761_S761_15.md)
- [30 C.F.R. § 761.16 (2026) § 761.16   Submission and processing of requests for valid existing rights determinations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T30_P761_S761_16.md)
- [30 C.F.R. § 761.17 (2026) § 761.17   Regulatory authority obligations at time of permit application review.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T30_P761_S761_17.md)
- [30 C.F.R. § 761.200 (2026) § 761.200   Interpretative rule related to subsidence due to underground coal mining in areas designated by Act of Congress.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T30_P761_S761_200.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T30_P761_S761_12. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
