Environmental Quality, Dept. of

Land Quality - Non Coal

Chapter 4: Noncoal Underground Mining

Effective Date: 12/01/1992 to Current

Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 020.0007.4.12011992

CHAPTER IV

NONCOAL UNDERGROUND MINING

Section 1. Underground mining permit application content requirements.

(a) In addition to the requirements of W.S. 35-11-406, and the applicable regulations contained in Chapter II, Sections 1. and 2., applications for an underground mining permit shall contain:

(i) A description of the effects of possible mine land subsidence along with the proposed measures to be taken to minimize the effects of subsidence, and procedures that will be taken in terms of backfilling, grading, and contouring in the event any subsidence occurs.

(ii) Plans for controlled subsidence such as would be the result of mining techniques similar to longwall mining.

Section 2. Environmental protection performance standards applicable to underground mining operations.

(a) General performance standards:

(i) All surface land affected in conjunction with an underground mining operation will be subject to the appropriate backfilling, grading, and contouring requirements as described in Chapter III, Section 2.(b), depending on the physical land description in the permit area and the nature of the surface disturbance.

(ii) All shafts and adits to underground mine workings must be properly sealed at closure.

(iii) Portal entries into adits must be backfilled, graded and contoured so as to blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain.

(iv) All substantial surface disturbances due to subsidence into underground workings within five years after completion of mining shall be backfilled, graded, contoured and revegetated so as to blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain. If conditions prevent such reclamation, the Administrator, after considering the conditions, and after consultation with the Advisory Board, will determine the reclamation requirements.

(v) The applicable performance standards contained in the Act and Chapter III shall apply to underground mining operations.