82-4-340. Successor operator. When one operator succeeds to the interest of another in any uncompleted operation by sale, assignment, lease, or otherwise, the department may release the first operator from the duties imposed upon the operator by this part as to such operation, provided that both operators have complied with the requirements of this part and the successor operator assumes the duty of the former operator to complete the reclamation of the land, in which case the department shall transfer the permit to the successor operator upon approval of the successor operator's bond as required under this part.