Administrative Rules of Montana
Department 17 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Chapter 17.24 - RECLAMATION
Subchapter 17.24.18 - Rules and Regulations Governing the Montana Strip and Underground Mine Siting Act
Rule 17.24.1806 - CONTENTS OF APPLICATION: MINERAL AND OVERBURDEN INFORMATION

(1) The applicant shall provide to the department information, data, maps, analyses and test logs from the proposed mining area for a preliminary review of mineral and overburden characteristics. Drilling shall be performed at a suitable interval depending on the nature and variability (including chemical, physical, thickness, structure, and hydrologic characteristics) of the overburden and mineral but the interval shall not be less than 1 hole per each 100 acre grid or fraction thereof, unless the department notifies the applicant in writing that fewer holes will be acceptable.

(2) All holes shall be sampled and tested to the bottom of the lowest deposit proposed to be mined. (The applicant should keep in mind the requirements of Title 82, chapter 4, part 2, MCA, and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, in conducting the drilling program.)