43 C.F.R. § 3480.0-1

The purposes of the rules of this part are to ensure orderly and efficient development, mining, preparation, and handling operations for Federal coal; ensure production practices that prevent wasting or loss of coal or other resources; avoid unnecessary damage to coal-bearing or mineral-bearing formations; ensure MER of Federal coal; ensure that operations meet requirements for diligent development and continued operation; ensure resource recovery and protection plans are submitted and approved in compliance with MLA; ensure effective and reasonable regulation of surface and underground coal mining operations; require an accurate record and accounting of all coal produced; ensure efficient, environmentally sound exploration and mining operations; and eliminate duplication of efforts by the Minerals Management Service (MMS), OSM, and the States in the Federal coal program.