(a) A person shall not drill a mineral test hole for exploratory purposes until the owner, directly or through the owner’s authorized representative, files a written application for a permit to drill, files an approved surety or security bond, and receives a permit in accordance with the rules of the supervisor. A fee shall be submitted with the application in an amount to be set in rules to be promulgated by the supervisor not to exceed the amount stated in § 68-203-103(h) for a mineral test hole permit fee. Within ten (10) days after receiving the application and fee, the supervisor shall issue or deny the permit. No permit shall be issued to any owner or owner’s authorized representative who is in violation of this part or any rules promulgated thereunder.

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 60-1-505

  • For exploratory purposes: means drilling of mineral test holes for the specific purpose of exploring for mineral resources. See Tennessee Code 60-1-503
  • Mineral: means any substance with economic value whether organic or inorganic that can be extracted from the earth, but excluding oil and gas. See Tennessee Code 60-1-503
  • Mineral test hole: means any hole in excess of one hundred feet (100') drilled during the exploration for minerals but excludes auger drilling in surficial or otherwise unconsolidated material, drilling in conjunction with mining or quarrying operations, drill holes for the exploration of oil and/or gas, water, structural foundations, and seismic surveys. See Tennessee Code 60-1-503
  • Owner: means the person who has or attains the right to drill, convert or operate any mineral test hole subject to this part. See Tennessee Code 60-1-503
  • Person: means any individual, corporation, company, association, joint venture, partnership, receiver, trustee, guardian, executor, administrator, personal representative or private organization of any kind. See Tennessee Code 60-1-503
  • Representative: when applied to those who represent a decedent, includes executors and administrators, unless the context implies heirs and distributees. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Supervisor: means the commissioner or the commissioner's designee. See Tennessee Code 60-1-503
  • written: includes printing, typewriting, engraving, lithography, and any other mode of representing words and letters. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) Upon request, the supervisor may issue a blanket permit to qualified persons to drill mineral test holes within a limited or local area where an extensive drilling exploration program is planned.
(c) All information pertaining to the application for and issuance of permits for mineral test holes subject to this part shall be held confidential.
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