Alaska Administrative Code
Title 11 - Natural Resources
Part 6 - Lands
Chapter 97 - Mining Reclamation
Article 1 - Applicability
11 AAC 97.100 - Applicability

(a) This chapter applies to the approval of reclamation plans, reclamation bonding, and enforcement of reclamation requirements under AS 27.19 for locatable mineral, leasable mineral, and material mining operations on state, federal, municipal, and private land. AS 27.19 and this chapter do not apply to a recreational placer mining operation using no mechanized earthmoving equipment other than a dredge with a suction hose six inches or less in diameter, powered by an engine of 18 or fewer horsepower.

(b)AS 27.19.020 sets the minimum standard for conduct of mining operations in Alaska, without regard to land ownership. Although nothing in AS 27.19 requires a miner to file a mining plan before beginning operations, most miners operating on public land are required to do so by other laws. Even where that is not the case, the department recommends that the miner develop a mining plan to help the miner meet the mining standard of AS 27.19.020 and to make the reclamation plan or reclamation letter of intent more effective.

(c) Nothing in AS 27.19 precludes a federal or state agency (including the Department of Natural Resources), a state corporation, the University of Alaska, a municipality, or a private landowner, acting under its own regulatory or proprietary authority, from establishing and enforcing additional requirements or higher standards for reclamation. Compliance with this chapter does not waive or excuse compliance with those additional requirements or higher standards.

(d) This chapter does not apply to: