CFR /  Title 30  /  Part 762  /  Sec. 762.13 Land exempt from designation as unsuitable for

The requirements of this part do not apply to--

(a) Lands on which surface coal mining operations were being conducted on the date of enactment of the Act;

(b) Lands covered by a permit issued under the Act; or

(c) Lands where substantial legal and financial commitments in surface coal mining operations were in existence prior to January 4, 1977.