No person shall, in any manner or by any means which will cause the surface of lands to be disturbed, explore, test, or prospect for minerals (other than oil and gas) subject to disposition under the mineral leasing acts without first filing an application for, and obtaining, a permit, lease or contract which authorizes such exploring, testing, or prospecting.

[34 FR 852, Jan. 18, 1969, as amended at 48 FR 27016, June 10, 1983]