An appeal to the courts may be taken from any decision of the council, or its designated committee or the hearing panel, in the manner provided by Chapter 7 of Title 18. An appeal also may lie against the department's refusal to release part or all of a bond or other security posed under Section 48-20-110 as provided in Section 48-20-130. The appeal may be filed in the court of common pleas for Richland County or for the county in which the mining operation is to be conducted.