PURPOSE: This rule sets forth requirements for coal recovery, contemporaneous land reclamation, and temporary and permanent cessation of underground mining activities pursuant to sects 444.810 and 444.855.2(16), RSMo.

1. (1) Coal Recovery. Underground mining activities shall be conducted so as to maximize the utilization conservation of the coal, while utilizing the best technology currently available to maintain environmental integrity, so that reaffecting the land in the future 10 CSR 40-3

through surface coal mining options is minimized.

1. (2) Contemporaneous Reclamation. Reclamation efforts, including, but not limited backfilling, grading, topsoil replacement and revegetation, of all areas affected by surface operations shall occur as contemporaneously as practicable with mining operations.

2. (3) Cessation of Operations—Temporary.

   1. (A) Each person who conducts underground mining activities shall effectively support and maintain all surface access openings to underground operations and secure surface facilities in areas in which there are no current operations, but operations are to be resumed under an approved permit. Temporary abandonment shall not relieve a person of his/her obligation to comply with any provision of the approved permit.
   2. (B) Before temporary cessation of mining and reclamation operations for a period of thirty (30) days or more, or as soon as it is known that a temporary cessation will extend beyond thirty (30) days, each person who conducts underground mining activities shall submit to the director a notice of intention to cease or abandon operations This notice shall include a statement of the exact number of surface acres and the horizontal and vertical extent of subsurface strata which have been in the permit area prior to cessation or abandonment, the extent and the kind of reclamation of surface area which will have been accomplished and identification the backfilling, regrading, revegetation, environmental monitoring, underground opening closures and water treatment activities that will continue during the temporary cessation.

3. (4) Cessation of Operations—Permanent.

   1. (A) The person who conducts underground mining activities shall close or backfill or otherwise permanently reclaim all affected areas in accordance with the permit and plan.
   2. (B) All surface equipment, structures or other facilities not required for continued underground mining activities and monitoring, unless approved as suitable for the postmining land use or environmental monitoring, shall be removed and the affected lands reclaimed.

AUTHORITY: section 444.810, RSMo 1994.* Original rule filed Aug. 8, 1980, effective Dec. 11, 1980. *Original authority 1979, amended 1983, 1993.