Mississippi § 53-9-21 - Surface coal mining and reclamation permit; term; extensions; use by successor in interest; termination.
Full text of Mississippi Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 53-9-21 — Surface coal mining and reclamation permit; term; extensions; use by successor in interest; termination., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 53-9-21. Surface coal mining and reclamation permit; term; extensions; use by successor in interest; termination.
No person shall open, develop, engage in, carry out or continue on lands within the state any new or existing surface coal mining operations without a permit issued by the permit board. All permits issued under this chapter shall be issued for a term not to exceed five (5) years, unless the applicant demonstrates that a specified longer term is reasonably needed to allow the applicant to obtain necessary financing for equipment and the opening of the operation. If the application is complete for the specified longer term, the permit board may issue a permit for the longer term. A successor in interest to a permittee who applies for a new permit within thirty (30) days of succeeding to that interest, and who is able to obtain the bond coverage of the original permittee, may continue surface coal mining and reclamation operations according to the approved mining and reclamation plan of the original permittee until the permit board takes action on the successor’s application. A permit shall be terminated if the permittee has not commenced the surface coal mining operations covered by that permit within three (3) years after the issuance of the permit. The permit board may grant reasonable extensions of time upon a showing that the extensions are necessary by reason of litigation precluding the commencement of surface coal mining operations or threatening substantial economic loss to the permittee upon or after commencement, or by reason of conditions beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the permittee. For coal mined for use in a synthetic fuel facility or specific major electric generating facility, the permittee shall be deemed to have commenced surface coal mining operations at the time construction of the synthetic fuel or generating facility is initiated.
Source: official Mississippi text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Mississippi § 53-9-21
What does Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 53-9-21 cover?
Section 53-9-21 ("Surface coal mining and reclamation permit; term; extensions; use by successor in interest; termination.") is part of the Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated, the codified statutory law of Mississippi. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Mississippi § 53-9-21?
A common citation format is "Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 53-9-21" (Mississippi). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Mississippi law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Mississippi official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Mississippi attorney.
How does Mississippi § 53-9-21 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Mississippi can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Mississippi.