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Types of Mine Restrictions

Mine restrictions are designed to prevent harm to humans and the environment from surface disturbances and/or mine waste. Several agencies -- including the Department of Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency and individual state environmental departments -- approve mine operation plans and issue restrictive permits to protect human health and the environment.

  1. Surface Disturbance

    • Many restrictions only cover surface disturbances and reclamation. For example, any mine on U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land requires authorization for mineral exploration surface disturbances. Permits are not required for the use of hand tools. However, explosives, and earth moving equipment require permits and are restricted in certain sensitive areas.

    Access Roads

    • Construction of access roads to a mine falls under surface disturbances. Before construction, mine operators must provide plans to regulatory agencies. An environmental assessment will be conducted by the federal resource agency to determine if sensitive habitats will be disturbed. If sensitive areas are not threatened, approval is given within 30 days of when the plan was submitted. If the plan is denied, mine operators can develop a different plan for access roads and seek approval.

    Reclamation Bonds

    • Before any surface disturbance, mine operators must obtain reclamation bonds insuring funds will be set aside to reclaim any disturbed lands. Typically, reclamation bonds require information on the type of mine, the acreage of land affected, the geographic location of the land, the time period covered by the permit, and the proposed method of reclamation. Mine permits will not be issued without reclamation bonds in place.

    Mine Waste

    • Solid waste and waste water permits are required for mine by-products. A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit System (NPDES) permit is required if waste water is discharged into surface waters. The permit will specify acceptable water quality levels for discharged water (for example, pH or mercury levels). Solid waste disposal permits are required to install, construct, operate or close a mine waste facility, a common feature of reclamation projects. Both types of permits are usually granted by state environmental agencies.

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