North Dakota Century Code Title 38. Mining and Gas and Oil Production § 38-12.1-05. Notice and drilling permit required--Exceptions--Limits on coal or commercial leonardite removal

1. It is unlawful to commence operations for drilling for the exploration for coal or commercial leonardite without first obtaining a permit from the director of mineral resources, under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the commission, and paying to the commission a fee of one hundred dollars for each such permit area. The permit application must include a description of the exploration area and the period of proposed exploration. The permit must be granted within thirty days after a proper application has been submitted.

2. This permit may not be required:

3. No person may remove more than two hundred fifty tons [226.80 metric tons] of coal or commercial leonardite pursuant to an exploration permit without first obtaining a permit from the public service commission.