# Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-105: Rules for coal exploration operations > Tennessee · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T59_C8_S59-8-105 ## Section - **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-105 - **Heading:** Rules for coal exploration operations - **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** TN Code / Title 59 / Chapter 8 / Section 59-8-105 ## Text (a) (1) Coal exploration operations that substantially disturb the natural land surface shall be conducted in accordance with exploration rules promulgated by the commissioner. (2) The rules for coal exploration operations shall include, but not be limited to, requirements that: (A) Any person planning to conduct exploration operations obtain an exploration permit from the commissioner before conducting those operations; (B) The applicant submit: (i) A description of the exploration area and the period of supposed exploration and any other information as the commissioner may require in the permit application; and (ii) A fee as established by rule and a performance bond or other financial assurance in an amount at least as much as is necessary to reclaim the proposed disturbance as described in subdivision (a)(2)(C); and (C) Reclamation in accordance with the performance standards in § 59-8-110 of all lands disturbed in exploration, including excavations, roads, drill holes and the removal of necessary facilities and equipment. (b) Any person who conducts any coal exploration activities that substantially disturb the natural land surface in violation of this part or rules promulgated pursuant to this part is subject to the penalties in § 59-8-117 . (c) No operator shall remove more than two hundred fifty (250) tons of coal pursuant to an exploration permit without the specific written approval of the commissioner. (d) Information submitted to the department and the commissioner pursuant to this section as confidential trade secrets or privileged commercial or financial information, which relates to the competitive rights of the person or entity intended to explore the described area, is not available for public examination under title 10, chapter 7. Repealed and reenacted by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 548, s 3, eff. 5/26/2021. Added by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 839, s 1, eff. eight (8) months immediately following the receipt of notification from the secretary of the interior that this state has been approved to exercise primacy over the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations within its territorial boundaries. (a) (1) Coal exploration operations that substantially disturb the natural land surface shall be conducted in accordance with exploration rules promulgated by the commissioner. (2) The rules for coal exploration operations shall include, but not be limited to, requirements that: (A) Any person planning to conduct exploration operations obtain an exploration permit from the commissioner before conducting those operations; (B) The applicant submit: (i) A description of the exploration area and the period of supposed exploration and any other information as the commissioner may require in the permit application; and (ii) A fee as established by rule and a performance bond or other financial assurance in an amount at least as much as is necessary to reclaim the proposed disturbance as described in subdivision (a)(2)(C); and (C) Reclamation in accordance with the performance standards in § 59-8-110 of all lands disturbed in exploration, including excavations, roads, drill holes and the removal of necessary facilities and equipment. (1) Coal exploration operations that substantially disturb the natural land surface shall be conducted in accordance with exploration rules promulgated by the commissioner. n (a)(2)(C); and (C) Reclamation in accordance with the performance standards in § 59-8-110 of all lands disturbed in exploration, including excavations, roads, drill holes and the removal of necessary facilities and equipment. (1) Coal exploration operations that substantially disturb the natural land surface shall be conducted in accordance with exploration rules promulgated by the commissioner. (2) The rules for coal exploration operations shall include, but not be limited to, requirements that: (A) Any person planning to conduct exploration operations obtain an exploration permit from the commissioner before conducting those operations; (B) The applicant submit: (i) A description of the exploration area and the period of supposed exploration and any other information as the commissioner may require in the permit application; and (ii) A fee as established by rule and a performance bond or other financial assurance in an amount at least as much as is necessary to reclaim the proposed disturbance as described in subdivision (a)(2)(C); and (C) Reclamation in accordance with the performance standards in § 59-8-110 of all lands disturbed in exploration, including excavations, roads, drill holes and the removal of necessary facilities and equipment. (A) Any person planning to conduct exploration operations obtain an exploration permit from the commissioner before conducting those operations; (B) The applicant submit: (i) A description of the exploration area and the period of supposed exploration and any other information as the commissioner may require in the permit application; and (ii) A fee as established by rule and a performance bond or other financial assurance in an amount at least as much as is necessary to reclaim the proposed disturbance as described in subdivision (a)(2)(C); and (i) A description of the exploration area and the period of supposed exploration and any other information as the commissioner may require in the permit application; and (ii) A fee as established by rule and a performance bond or other financial assurance in an amount at least as much as is necessary to reclaim the proposed disturbance as described in subdivision (a)(2)(C); and (C) Reclamation in accordance with the performance standards in § 59-8-110 of all lands disturbed in exploration, including excavations, roads, drill holes and the removal of necessary facilities and equipment. (b) Any person who conducts any coal exploration activities that substantially disturb the natural land surface in violation of this part or rules promulgated pursuant to this part is subject to the penalties in § 59-8-117 . (c) No operator shall remove more than two hundred fifty (250) tons of coal pursuant to an exploration permit without the specific written approval of the commissioner. (d) Information submitted to the department and the commissioner pursuant to this section as confidential trade secrets or privileged commercial or financial information, which relates to the competitive rights of the person or entity intended to explore the described area, is not available for public examination under title 10, chapter 7. Repealed and reenacted by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 548, s 3, eff. 5/26/2021. Added by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 839, s 1, eff. eight (8) months immediately following the receipt of notification from the secretary of the interior that this state has been approved to exercise primacy over the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations within its territorial boundaries. ## Nearby sections - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-101 Short title - Legislative findings and declarations - Purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T59_C8_S59-8-101.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-102 Part definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T59_C8_S59-8-102.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-103 Duties of commissioner](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T59_C8_S59-8-103.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-104 Severability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T59_C8_S59-8-104.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-105 Rules for coal exploration operations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T59_C8_S59-8-105.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-106 Permits for engaging in surface coal mining operations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T59_C8_S59-8-106.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-107 Fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T59_C8_S59-8-107.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-108 Performance bonds](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T59_C8_S59-8-108.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-109 Reclamation plan](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T59_C8_S59-8-109.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-110 General performance standards for surface coal mining and reclamation operations - Grant of permit without regard to requirement to restore to approximate original contour - Performance standards applicable to steep-slope surface coal mining - Variances](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T59_C8_S59-8-110.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-111 Requirements to conduct underground coal mining operations - Promulgation of rules - Requirements for operator - Suspension of underground coal mining](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T59_C8_S59-8-111.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-112 Advertisement of ownership, precise location, and boundaries of land to be affected by permit - Notification by commissioner - Written objections to proposed permit - Informal conference - Grant, requirement of modification, or denial of application - Permit renewal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T59_C8_S59-8-112.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-113 Application for revision of permit - Approval required for transfer, assignment, or sale of rights granted under permit Review of outstanding surface coal mining and reclamation operation permits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T59_C8_S59-8-113.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 59-8-114 Inspections of surface coal mining and reclamation operations - Monitoring data collection and analysis](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T59_C8_S59-8-114.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T59_C8_S59-8-105. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.