(a) At any time during the term of the permit, the permittee may file an application to lease the area or a designated portion of the area covered by the permit for the purpose of mining or producing the minerals covered by the permit.
(b) An application to lease must designate the specific minerals the permittee is applying to lease. The commissioner may determine any additional information an application must contain.
(c) If the area designated for lease in the application is less than the area covered by the permit, the applicant shall include with the application field notes prepared by the county surveyor or by a licensed state land surveyor describing the land designated.