Opencut Mining Program
Opencut Gravel Pit (1996)
Regulated Activities
The Opencut Mining Act (82-4-401 et seq., MCA) and regulations apply to the mining of bentonite, clay, scoria, soil materials, peat, sand or gravel. An operator may not conduct Opencut mining operations that result in the removal of a total of 10,000 cubic yards or more of materials and overburden until the department has issued a permit to the operator for the reclamation of the land affected. An operator conducting a number of operations, all of which results in the removal of 10,000 cubic yards or more of materials and overburden in the aggregate, is subject to the provisions of this part, except as provided in this section. Exemptions may be available for operators currently holding a reclamation permit if the new operations will result in the removal of 5,000 cubic yards or less of mineral and overburden. Specific guidelines are required however, and a completed form provided by the department must be submitted. Operations on certain federal lands may be exempt if the Board of Environmental Review determines that federal regulations are at least as stringent as state requirements.
Reclamation of a Gravel Pit (2001)
All Opencut sand and gravel operations must comply with applicable zoning regulations if the proposed mine site is in an area zoned as residential.
An air quality permit from the DEQ is required for the operation of any mineral crushing or other processing plants.
The Employment Relations Division of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry enforces mine safety regulations. The division's Safety Bureau works with the mine operator and mining contractors who must report the name of the mine, the location of the mine, the name of the company and contractors operating the mine, the type of mining activity, the date mining activity will begin and other information.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY Employment Relations Division, Safety Bureau
Application Requirements
An operator must submit an application for a reclamation permit on a form furnished by the DEQ. A bond of at least $200 for each affected acre, a zoning compliance form, plans of the intended operations and other details of the mine operation are also required.
Upon receipt of an application containing all information in 82-4-432(1) and (2), MCA, DEQ shall, within 30 days, notify the operator whether or not the application is complete. If the application is not complete, DEQ shall include in the notification a detailed identification of deficiencies.
Upon receipt of the completed application the DEQ shall, within 30 days, notify the operator if it has approved or denied the application. See 82-4-432(4), MCA. The DEQ may for sufficient cause extend its period of review for an additional 30 days if it notifies the person of the extension prior to the end of the original 30 day period.
Permitting Procedures
The application form and accompanying materials (permits, bond, map(s) and reclamation plan, etc...) are reviewed for completeness to ensure that each item is addressed correctly. An on-site evaluation is conducted to determine if the land is mineable and reclaimable and to make sure site conditions are as specified in the application. The site inspection may be conducted with the operator and other interested persons.
Criteria
The DEQ will issue a permit only if the bond, reclamation plan and other requirements of Title 82, Chapter 4, Part 4 are fulfilled. The reclamation plan must ensure that the operator will establish vegetative cover commensurate with the proposed land use, will appropriately protect ground and surface water and will remove or bury metal and other waste, etc.
Contact: Neil Harrington, Bureau Chief (406) 444-4973
