New Mexico Statutes
Article 25A - Surface Mining
Section 69-25A-5 - Regulations.

A. The commission shall adopt and file such reasonable regulations as are necessary to implement the Surface Mining Act and as are consistent with that act. Such regulations shall be concise and written in plain, understandable language and shall include regulations governing surface coal mining and the issuance of permits during the interim period following the effective date of that act and preceding the date which occurs eight months following the date upon which that act is approved as a part of a state program within the meaning of Section 503 of the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C., Section 1253 (1977). In promulgating the interim regulations, the commission shall consider existing federal law relating to surface coal mining operations. The interim regulations shall govern surface coal mining operations of applicants and permittees during the interim period or until a permittee receives a permit issued pursuant to the Surface Mining Act which shall be valid beyond the interim period. Such regulations shall provide that permits issued during such interim period may be permits either as defined in Section 3 [69-25A-3 NMSA 1978] of the Surface Mining Act or as were previously issued pursuant to Laws 1972, Chapter 68 [repealed], as amended, and regulations issued pursuant to such laws. Such permits shall be subject to performance standard regulations promulgated pursuant to the Surface Mining Act.
B. Except for the persons having a permit to which Section 9 [69-25A-9 NMSA 1978] of the Surface Mining Act is applicable, no person shall engage in or carry out any surface coal mining operations during the interim period unless such person has first obtained a permit issued by the director pursuant to regulations promulgated for the interim period under Subsection A of this section.
History: Laws 1979, ch. 291, § 5.
Bracketed material. — The bracketed material was inserted by the compiler and is not part of the law. Laws 1972, Chapter 68, referred to in Subsection A, was formerly compiled as 69-25-1, 69-25-3 to 69-25-21 NMSA 1978 and was repealed by Laws 1979, ch. 291, § 38.
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 53A Am. Jur. 2d Mines and Minerals §§ 257, 260.
58 C.J.S. Mines and Minerals § 334 et seq.

Structure New Mexico Statutes

New Mexico Statutes

Chapter 69 - Mines

Article 25A - Surface Mining

Section 69-25A-1 - Short title.

Section 69-25A-2 - Purpose of act.

Section 69-25A-3 - Definitions.

Section 69-25A-4 - Coal surface mining commission; duties. (Repealed effective July 1, 2026.)

Section 69-25A-5 - Regulations.

Section 69-25A-6 - Procedure for adopting regulations.

Section 69-25A-7 - Petition to initiate regulations.

Section 69-25A-8 - Director; duties.

Section 69-25A-9 - General provisions pertaining to permits.

Section 69-25A-10 - Permit application requirements.

Section 69-25A-11 - Public liability and self-insurance requirements.

Section 69-25A-12 - Reclamation plan requirements.

Section 69-25A-13 - Performance bonds.

Section 69-25A-14 - Permit approval or denial.

Section 69-25A-15 - Revision of permits.

Section 69-25A-16 - Coal exploration.

Section 69-25A-17 - Public notice and public hearings.

Section 69-25A-18 - Decisions of director and appeals.

Section 69-25A-19 - Environmental protection performance standards; surface coal mining operations.

Section 69-25A-20 - Environmental protection performance standards; surface effects of underground coal mining operations.

Section 69-25A-21 - Inspection and monitoring.

Section 69-25A-22 - Penalties and sanctions.

Section 69-25A-23 - Release of performance bonds.

Section 69-25A-24 - Citizen suits.

Section 69-25A-25 - Enforcement.

Section 69-25A-26 - Areas unsuitable for surface coal mining; petitions; exclusions.

Section 69-25A-27 - Cooperative agreement between the state of New Mexico and the United States.

Section 69-25A-28 - Applicability to public agencies, public utilities and public corporations.

Section 69-25A-29 - Administrative review.

Section 69-25A-30 - Judicial review.

Section 69-25A-31 - Exclusions.

Section 69-25A-32 - Conflict of interest; penalty; disclosure.

Section 69-25A-33 - Experimental practices or other use.

Section 69-25A-34 - Repealed.

Section 69-25A-35 - Administrative procedures; applicability.

Section 69-25A-36 - Termination of agency life; delayed repeal.