77-3-307. Improvements of former lessee. (1) When a coal mining lease is applied for on land where mining operations have been carried on by a former lessee and there are surface or underground improvements on the land used at the former operations, disposition must be made of the improvements satisfactory to the board before a new lease is issued. If the owner of the improvements desires to sell the improvements to the new lessee, the new lessee shall pay the owner the reasonable value of the improvements as far as they are suitable for the new mining operations. If they fail to agree on the value of the improvements, the value must be ascertained and fixed as provided in 77-6-306.
(2) Before a new lease is issued, the applicant shall show to the satisfaction of the board that the applicant has paid the owner for the improvements as agreed on between them or as fixed under the provisions of 77-6-306, that the applicant has tendered payment as fixed, or that the owner desires to remove the owner's improvements.
History: En. Sec. 43, Ch. 60, L. 1927; re-en. Sec. 1805.43, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 32, Ch. 428, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 81-506; amd. Sec. 2557, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Chapter 3. Rock, Mineral, Coal, Oil, and Gas Resources
77-3-301. Coal leases authorized
77-3-302. Lands subject to coal leasing
77-3-303. Rules relating to coal leasing
77-3-304. Protection of rights of purchasers or prior lessees
77-3-305. Limitations on leasing
77-3-306. Conditions on manner of mining
77-3-307. Improvements of former lessee
77-3-308. Limitation on public inspection rights
77-3-309. and 77-3-310 reserved
77-3-316. Rental and royalty terms
77-3-317. Report and payment of royalty
77-3-318. Disposition of royalties and other receipts
77-3-319. and 77-3-320 reserved
77-3-322. Obligation to pay royalties under coal lease contract -- interest