N.C. Gen. Stat. § 74-89: Delay before mining permits issued.

No permit for the mining of uranium shall be issued to an applicant for either three years, beginning with the date of issuance of his first permit to explore for uranium, or for two years, beginning with the date of the filing of his first application for a permit to mine uranium, whichever comes first. (1983, c. 279, s. 1.)