77-3-120. Bonds to protect prior purchasers, lessees, or contractees. (1) If the lands at the time of the issuance of a mining lease have been sold, are under contract of sale, or have been leased for agricultural, grazing, or other purposes, the board shall provide against the infringement of the rights of the prior purchaser, contractee, or lessee and among other things may at any time require the mining lessee to file with the department a corporate surety bond in a reasonable amount fixed by the board, conditioned to protect the rights of the prior purchaser, contractee, or lessee.
(2) The form of the bond shall be prescribed by the board, and the bond shall run to the state for the benefit of the prior purchaser, contractee, or lessee. New or additional bonds may be required by the board at any time.
(3) Suit may be brought upon the bond by any such prior purchaser, contractee, or lessee for alleged violation of the terms of the bond by the mining lessee. Such suit shall be brought by the claimant in the name of the state for the use and benefit of the claimant, and any recovery upon the bond shall be paid to the claimant.
History: En. Sec. 8, Ch. 148, L. 1937; amd. Sec. 42, Ch. 428, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 81-608.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Chapter 3. Rock, Mineral, Coal, Oil, and Gas Resources
Part 1. Prospecting Permits and Mining Leases
77-3-102. Mining leases authorized
77-3-103. Prospecting permits authorized
77-3-104. Notice of permit or lease approval
77-3-105. Assignment of leases or permits
77-3-106. Disposition of royalties, fees, and penalties
77-3-107. through 77-3-110 reserved
77-3-111. Applications for mining lease
77-3-112. Examination of lands prior to leasing
77-3-113. Quantity of lands covered by lease
77-3-114. Restrictions on mining leases on lands already subject to coal, oil, or gas lease
77-3-117. Modification of lease provisions
77-3-118. Restrictions on removal of minerals and gems during preliminary prospecting period
77-3-120. Bonds to protect prior purchasers, lessees, or contractees
77-3-121. Pooling agreements and unit plans of operation
77-3-122. Sales, contracts for sale, and other leases subject to mining leases
77-3-124. through 77-3-129 reserved
77-3-130. Limitation on public inspection rights