15 CAR § 231-208 – Mining plan

(a) In order to adequately assess the environmental soundness of the proposed operation and assess the proposed bond amount and its relationship to the proposed reclamation plan, a detailed mining plan must be submitted by the applicant.
(b) The mining plan must include all provisions of this section.
(c) The Division of Environmental Quality, in its discretion, may require the applicant to address other issues in the mining plan, which may impact environmental preservation and the amount of reclamation bond to be posted.
(d) Where applicable, the mining plan must include:
1. (1) Provisions to prevent unpermitted releases of water from the site, which provisions are to be:
  1. (A) Identified on the site map; and
  2. (B) Described in the mine plan narrative;
2. (2) A description of the functions of any ponds used as part of the process, i.e., decant ponds, and depiction on the site map;
3. (3) Methods used to restrict access to and warn the public of the dangers inherent in a mining operation such as:
  1. (A) Fencing;
  2. (B) Natural or man-made barriers; and
  3. (C) Warning signs;
4. (4) A description of the plan to preserve topsoil for redistribution during reclamation, unless the Director of the Division of Environmental Quality approves otherwise;
5. (5) A detailed description of any incremental mining map or maps depicting the plan;
6. (6) Information on the thickness of the topsoil, overburden, and the resource material to be mined; and
7. (7)
  1. (A) A description of plans for contemporaneous reclamation as required by the division.
  2. (B) For sand and gravel open-cut mining operations, a detailed description of the proposed incremental mining that will be conducted which incorporates contemporaneous reclamation.