(a) If an applicant or bidder for a license to mine or a lease dies before the license to mine or lease is issued, the license or lease shall be issued: If the estate has not been probated, to the executor or administrator of the estate; if probate has been completed, or is not required, to the heirs or devisees; and if their are minor heirs or devisees, to their legal guardian or trustee.

(b) The lease or license to mine shall not issue until the following information has been filed:

(1) Where probate of the estate has not been completed:

(i) Evidence that the person who acts as executor or administrator has the authority to act in that capacity and to act on the application or bid;

(ii) Evidence that the heirs or devisees are the heirs or devisees of the deceased applicant or bidder, and are the only heirs or devisees of the deceased; and

(iii) A statement over the signature of each heir or devisee concerning citizenship and holdings.

(2) Where the executor or administrator has been discharged or no probate proceedings are required: (i) A certified copy of the will or decree of distribution, if any, and if not, a statement signed by the heirs that they are the only heirs of the applicant or bidder, and citing the provisions of the law of the deceased's last domicile showing that no probate is required; and (ii) a statement over the signature of each of the heirs or devisees with reference to citizenship and holdings, except that if the heir or devisee is a minor, the statement shall be over the signature of the guardian or trustee.