Yes. The BLM has a process that may allow you temporary relief from these lease requirements in accordance with 30 U.S.C. 209.

We will consider if approval:

(a) Is in the interest of conservation;

(b) Will encourage the greatest ultimate recovery of the resource; and

(c) Is necessary either to promote development of the mineral resources or because you cannot successfully operate the lease under existing terms.

You must submit your application with the following information for all leases involved:

(a) The serial numbers;

(b) The name of the record title holder(s);

(c) The name of the operator and operating rights owners if different from the record title holder(s);

(d) A description of the lands by legal subdivision, if the application is for a portion of the lease;

(e) A map showing the serial number and location of each mine or excavation and the extent of the mining operations;

(f) If you are applying for relief from the minimum production requirement, the information sufficient to demonstrate why you did not attain the minimum production;

(g) Justification showing why you cannot successfully operate the mines under the royalty or rental fixed in the lease and other lease terms;

(h) Any other information that BLM needs to determine whether the request satisfies the standards in § 3513.12.

Yes. BLM will charge you a processing fee on a case-by-case basis, as described in § 3000.11 of this chapter.

(a) The BLM may reduce rental, royalties, or minimum production on its own initiative if the BLM determines, based on available information, that it is necessary to promote development of the mineral resource. Such a reduction may be for a specific geographic area, or on an industry-wide basis.

(b) The BLM may reduce rental, royalties, or minimum production in response to an application submitted under § 3513.15 if the application meets the criteria in § 3513.12.

(c) The BLM may grant a reduction not to exceed:

(1) 10 years from the date of implementation under paragraph (a) of this section, or

(2) 10 years from the date of the decision to approve the application submitted under paragraph (b) of this section, or for a maximum quantity of mineral production as determined by the BLM.

A suspension of operations and production (conservation concerns) is a BLM action where BLM orders or allows you to suspend operations in the interest of conservation of natural resources.

BLM will extend your lease term by any periods of suspension of operations and production (conservation concerns). We will reduce the minimum annual production requirements of your lease proportionately for that time during a lease year in which a suspension of operations and production is effective. You do not have to pay rental and minimum annual production royalties starting with the first day of the next lease month after the suspension becomes effective. However, if the suspension is effective on the first day of the lease month, you may stop paying rentals and royalties that same day.

Send us two copies of an application that explains why it is in the interest of conservation to suspend your operations and production.

Yes, BLM may order a suspension of operations and production.

Your suspension takes effect on the date BLM specifies.

Your suspension ends on the expiration date that BLM specifies in the decision or order approving the suspension, or on the first day of the lease month in which you resume operations or production, whichever occurs first. All lease terms and obligations resume on this date. MMS will allow credit towards future rentals or royalties due, if you paid rent for the period of suspension of operations and production.

A suspension of operations (economic concerns) is an action by which BLM may approve your request to suspend operations on your lease when marketing conditions are such that you cannot operate your leases except at a loss. BLM may not order a suspension of operations (economic concerns) unless you request it.

This suspension does not affect the term of the lease or the annual rental payment. BLM will reduce the minimum annual production requirements of your lease in proportion to that part of the lease year for which a suspension of operations is effective.

Send us two copies of your application which shows why your lease cannot be operated except at a loss.

Your suspension will be effective on the date BLM specifies. You do not have to pay royalty on minimum annual production beginning on the first day of the next lease month after the suspension becomes effective. If the effective date is the first of the month, you may stop paying royalty on minimum annual production on that day.

The suspension of operations (economic concerns) ends on the expirations date that BLM specifies in the decision approving the suspension, or on the first day of the lease month in which you resume operations, whichever occurs first. Your obligation for minimum annual production resumes at this time.