Permits

(a) In general Except as provided in section 501(a)(2), no person may engage in mineral activities on Federal land that may cause a disturbance of surface resources, including land, air, water, and fish and wildlife, unless a permit authorizing the activities was issued to the person under this title. (b) Exceptions Notwithstanding subsection (a), a permit under this title shall not be required for mineral activities that are a casual use of the Federal land. (c) No modification Nothing in this section enlarges, diminishes, establishes, repeals, or otherwise modifies any requirement of law that a mining claim, millsite, or tunnel site be valid in order for mineral activities to be undertaken. (d) Coordination with NEPA process To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary concerned shall conduct the permit processes under this Act in coordination with the timing and other requirements of section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332).