(a) The office shall, no less frequently than quarterly, either consult with representatives of the department’s Office of Mining and Reclamation or review the department’s permit application database(s) to determine whether newly proposed surface mines or significant modifications to existing surface mining operations may present opportunities for mine operators to cooperate with local landowners and local governmental officials to mine and reclaim properties so as to develop community assets or secure developable land and infrastructure pursuant to this article.
(b) The provisions of this section shall apply to all surface mining permit applications granted after July 1, 2018.