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~;~ 2 1983 and a Dorchester drawing dated December 7, 1978, showing up to 12 feet of ash above the coal bed, MSIiA stated that it appeazed the coal was already burning along the top of the bed when the mine was developed in 1979 and the $re had finally burned through the intervening coal to become visible in the two entries. Despite Dorchester's efforts to monitor and control the spontaneous combustion, including the installation of thermornuples and chemical grouting in the mine, a fire broke out in June 1983. The mine was flooded and sealed during June and July 1983 to extinguish the fire. An inspection of the mine site by Grand Junction District Office personnel on March 2, 1990, found that the surface area adjacent to the sealed portal had been graded and revegetated. Lease Diligence Requirements. The additional data received on June 18, 1990, contains a mine development schedule that assumes the BLM could grant a suspension that would suspend the rent and the diligent development period, and would allow the proposed mine to reach sufficient production to meet diligence and maintain continued operation at the end of the S-yeaz suspension. A section 39 suspension of operations and production suspends not only the rent but also beneficial use of the lease. Any production under a section 39 suspension will terminate the suspension. A force majeure suspension does not suspend rent but does allow production up to the pre-suspension level. Because the pre-suspension production level of these leases is zero, a force tnajeure suspension also will terminate once production begins. The applicants' mine development schedule shows that diligent development will not be achieved until the fourth year of production. The diligent development period of these leases will end on July 1, 1990. If we were to grant a suspension with an effective date of January 1, 1990, there vn11 be only 18 months remaining to meet diligence once production begins and terminates the suspension. We have concluded that 18 months is not enough time for these leases to reach a level of production sufficient to meet diligence. Thus suspensions of these leases will not enable the lessees to achieve diligent development. We also reviewed the application for evidence of sales contracts and operating agreements documenting a diligent effort to develop these leases. The supply and demand forecast provided by a Japanese coal broker and letters from several companies, either acknowledging an exchange of information or providing an estimate of time and costs to permit and re-enter the Cameo bed, are not legally binding sales contracts or operating agreements. Section 39 Susnension. The authority for a suspension of operations and production is provided by section 39 of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended (MLA). In order for an application for a suspension of operations and production to conform to the requirements of section 39 of the MLA, the regulations, and Bureau policy, the lessee must have received authorization to mine and onsite mice development must have