; or (B) demonstrates eligibility for a lease and requests conversion under the regulations issued under subsection (d). (2) Shortening of period The 10-year period referred to in paragraph (1) shall be shortened to 3 years if— (A) the claim is for an area that is located in an area withdrawn or temporarily segregated from location under the general mining laws as of the effective date of this Act; or (B) the claim belongs to a small miner. (3) Conversion Upon showing to the satisfaction of the Secretary of a valuable mineral deposit on lands subject to such a claim, the Secretary may convert the claim to a noncompetitive lease under the regulations issued under subsection (d). (4) Claims not converted Any such claims not converted to leases at the end of the applicable period under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be considered invalid and void. (c) Existing claims with plan of operation (1) In general In the case of any claim under the general mining laws for which a plan of operations has been approved but for which operations have not commenced before the date of enactment of this Act— (A) during the 10-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act— (i) mineral activities at lands subject to such claim shall be subject to such plan of operations; and (ii) modification of such plan may be made in accordance with the provisions of law applicable before the date of the enactment of this Act if such modifications are considered minor by the Secretary concerned