---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 396a"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "396a"
heading: "Leases of unallotted lands for mining purposes; duration of leases"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/396a"
units:
  - "Chapter 12 — Lease, Sale, or Surrender of Allotted or Unallotted Lands"
---

# §396a. Leases of unallotted lands for mining purposes; duration of leases


On and after May 11, 1938, unallotted lands within any Indian reservation or lands owned by any tribe, group, or band of Indians under Federal jurisdiction, except those specifically excepted from the provisions of sections 396a to [396g](/usc/25/396g.md) of this title, may, with the approval of the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) of the Interior, be leased for mining purposes, by authority of the tribal council or other authorized spokesmen for such Indians, for terms not to exceed ten years and as long thereafter as minerals are produced in paying quantities.


## Source credit

(May 11, 1938, ch. 198, § 1, 52 Stat. 347.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Repeal of Inconsistent Acts

Act May 11, 1938, ch. 198, § 7, 52 Stat. 348, provided that: “All Act [Acts] or parts of Acts inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.”