Authority: IC 14-34-2-1

Affected: IC 14-34

Sec. 96. (a) Each plan shall describe the design, operation, and maintenance of any proposed coal processing waste disposal facility, including flow diagrams and any other necessary drawings and maps, for the approval of the director under 312 IAC 25-6-41.

(b) Each plan shall describe the following:

1. (1) The source and quality of waste to be stowed.
2. (2) The area to be backfilled.
3. (3) The percent of the mine void to be filled.
4. (4) The method of constructing underground retaining walls.
5. (5) The influence of the backfilling operation on active underground mine operations.
6. (6) The surface area to be supported by the backfill.
7. (7) The anticipated occurrence of surface effects following backfilling.

(c) The applicant shall describe the following:

1. (1) The source of the hydraulic transport mediums.
2. (2) The method of dewatering the placed backfill.
3. (3) The retainment of water underground.
4. (4) The treatment of water if released to surface streams.
5. (5) The effect on the hydrologic regime.

(d) The plan shall describe the following:

1. (1) Each permanent monitoring well to be located in the backfilled area.
2. (2) The stratum underlying the mined coal.
3. (3) The gradient from the backfilled area.

(e) The requirements of this section shall also apply to pneumatic backfilling operations, except where the operations are exempted by the director from requirements specifying the hydrologic monitoring.

(f) Approval is required from the Mine Safety and Health Administration for return of coal processing waste to abandoned underground workings.

(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 25-4-96; filed Jun 21, 2001, 2:53 p.m.: 24 IR 3478, eff Dec 1, 2001; readopted filed May 29, 2007, 9:51 a.m.: 20070613-IR-312070146RFA; readopted filed Sep 19, 2013, 10:12 a.m.: 20131016-IR-312130125RFA; readopted filed Mar 26, 2019, 3:40 p.m.: 20190424-IR-312190011RFA; readopted filed Mar 25, 2025, 9:50 a.m.: 20250423-IR-312240574RFA)