Administrative Rules of Montana
Department 17 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Chapter 17.24 - RECLAMATION
Subchapter 17.24.1 - Rules and Regulations Governing the Montana Hard Rock Mining Reclamation Act
Rule 17.24.106 - EXPLORATION DRILL HOLE PLUGGING
Current through Register Vol. 6, March 22, 2024
(1) Except as provided in (3) of this rule, all exploration drill holes must be plugged at the surface five to ten feet with cement.
(2) Except as provided in (3) of this rule, exploration drill holes must be plugged with bentonite or a similar compound from the bottom of the hole to within five to ten feet of the surface, and with cement from the top of the bentonite to the surface if one or more of the following conditions apply:
(3) Exceptions to (1) and (2) of this rule may be granted by the department if:
(4) All drill holes must be plugged prior to removing the drill rig from a hole unless removing the drill rig is necessary to the hole plugging operation or unless otherwise approved by the department.
(5) If the flow of an artesian drill hole is not completely stopped, after exhaustion of all methods, the operator must:
(6) In areas and geological formations of known artesian well potential, bonding for drill sites must be adequate to ensure artesian hole plugging.
AUTH: 82-4-321, MCA; IMP: 82-4-302, 82-4-332, 82-4-355, MCA