---
kind: "section"
citation: "30 U.S.C. § 4c"
title: "30"
title_heading: "Mineral Lands and Mining"
number: "4c"
heading: "Investigation of sub-bituminous and lignite coal"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/30/4c"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — United States Bureau of Mines"
---

# §4c. Investigation of sub-bituminous and lignite coal


The United States Bureau of Mines, under the general direction of the [Secretary](/usc/30/661.md?p=b-2) of the Interior, is authorized to conduct investigations, studies, and experiments on its own initiative and in cooperation with individuals, State institutions, laboratories, and other organizations, with a view to (1) the development of a commercially practicable carbonization method of processing sub-bituminous and lignite coal so as to convert such coal into an all-purpose fuel, to provide fertilizers, and obtain such other byproducts thereof as may be commercially valuable; (2) the development of efficient methods, equipment, and devices for burning lignite or char therefrom; and (3) determining and developing methods for more efficient utilization of such sub-bituminous and lignite coal for purposes of generating electric power.


## Source credit

(May 15, 1936, ch. 397, § 1, 49 Stat. 1275; Pub. L. 102–285, § 10(b), May 18, 1992, 106 Stat. 172.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

“United States Bureau of Mines” substituted in text for “Bureau of Mines” pursuant to section 10(b) of Pub. L. 102–285, set out as a note under section 1 of this title. For provisions relating to closure and transfer of functions of the United States Bureau of Mines, see Transfer of Functions note set out under section 1 of this title.