7-8-2233. Special provisions relating to coal leases. (1) Leases for deposits of coal only or for coal and the surface above the same owned by any county or to which any county acquires title by tax title, tax deed, or otherwise may be for a period of 10 years and as long thereafter as coal is being mined and extracted from the leased property in commercial quantities.
(2) As to all such deposits of coal only or coal and surface, the provisions of the laws of Montana relating to the sale by the county commissioners of a county of property owned by the county or acquired by tax title or otherwise shall be suspended during the time any such lease or leases of coal only or coal and surface made under 7-8-2231 shall be in force and effect.