ABSTRACT
Federal, State, and county governments, as well as private parties, hold leases on coal lands. The need for federal leases is increasing because these leases form a logical mining unit long with private, state, and other federal leases. Prior to 1971, there was significant activity in federal coal leasing, much of it for speculation purposes. At the same time, there were significant decreases in coal production on federal lands. The number of permits, licenses, and agencies, involved with the mining operations varies with each specific site. Quite often the permit process required of the coal mine operator is time consuming and confusing. Capital investment estimates vary for surface and underground mines. Since numerous factors affect costs, estimating the cost of any particular mine must be considered within its own special situation and requirements. Land reclamation costs vary for different regions of the country and for specific sites within a region.
