Hard Rock Mining

The Mining Bureau oversees implementation and enforcement of the Montana Metal Mine Reclamation Act. The Act recognizes mining and the production of minerals as activities that are beneficial to the economy of Montana, when conducted in a way that protects the environment from degradation and ensures for proper reclamation of mined land. The Bureau reviews permit and license applications for mining operations ranging from decorative landscaping rock to copper ore to sapphires. 

Types of Permits & Licenses

The Mining Bureau has separate programs for hard rock exploration and hard rock mining. Hard rock exploration requires a license to perform drilling and trenching and other activities to determine if an economical mineral resource is present. Hard rock mining can occur under a Small Miner Exclusion Statement (SMES) or under an Operating Permit. Small Miner Exclusion mining has the limitation of not more than five acres of disturbance at any one time. Mining that cannot be limited to five acres of disturbance, can only be done under an Operating Permit. In some circumstances, multiple sites may be permitted under a single Operating Permit.

If you believe you need a permit, applicable forms and instructions can be found by clicking the "Permitting and Operator Assistance" button. Contact us if you have questions or run into problems with any of the information. We're here to help!

Operating Permits

Operating permits are required for hard rock mines that will disturb more than five acres at any one time. The Hard Rock Mining Section of the Mining Bureau is responsible for the review of permit applications for operating permits and for the corresponding inspections of those mines. The Hard Rock Mining Section is also responsible for implementing other portions of the program, such as the review/development of environmental reviews, the review of annual reports, the review of permit revision requests, and the review of amendment applications.

Please be advised that these documents and notices are being posted to the website as a courtesy. The format or content of documents and notices posted may be modified as necessary for website software requirements and protocols. Reliance should not be placed on courtesy notifications in lieu of the statutory notification requirements set forth in the Montana Metal Mine Reclamation Act. Please note that the pending amendments and pending operating permit applications listed below are those that are currently under review by the Mining Bureau.

Exploration Licenses

An Exploration License is required for all mineral exploration activities that may involve surface or subsurface disturbance. The Exploration License is not a mining permit, and cannot be used for mining. Likewise, the Operating Permit (OP) and Small Miner Exclusion Statement (SMES) are intended for “mining” and cannot be used for “exploration.”

Small Miner Exclusions

Small Miner Exclusion Statements are an exclusion from the requirements of an Operating Permit and are generally applicable to operations that disturb less than five acres of land. Bonding and site reclamation is not required, except for placer mining operations. An environmental review of potential impacts is also not required.

***Notice***

The Hard Rock Mining Section has temporarily moved to a new location while the Metcalf Building is being renovated. The new office is located in the Colonial Building at 

2401 Colonial Drive Helena MT 59601