Administrative Rules of Montana
Department 17 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Chapter 17.24 - RECLAMATION
Subchapter 17.24.8 - Strip and Underground Reclamation Act: Alluvial Valley Floors, Prime Farmlands, Alternate Reclamation, and Auger Mining
Rule 17.24.832 - AUGER MINING: SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Current through Register Vol. 6, March 22, 2024
(1) Any auger mining associated with strip mining operations must be conducted to maximize recoverability of mineral reserves remaining after the mining operations are completed. Each operator conducting auger mining operations shall leave areas of undisturbed coal to provide access for removal of those reserves by future underground mining activities, unless the department determines that the coal reserves have been depleted or are limited in thickness or extent to the point that it will not be practicable to recover the remaining coal reserves. The department shall make such determination only upon presentation of appropriate technical evidence by the operator.
(2) Undisturbed areas of coal must be left in unmined sections that:
(3) An auger hole must not be located closer than 500 feet in horizontal distance from any abandoned or active underground mine workings, except as approved in accordance with ARM 17.24.516.
(4) If the operation involves stripping for the purpose of augering, the requirements of ARM 17.24.501(6) (c) for the purpose of backfilling and grading must be followed.
(5) In order to prevent pollution of surface and ground water and to reduce fire hazards, each auger hole, except as provided in (6), must be plugged to prevent the discharge of water from the hole and access of air to the coal, as follows:
(6) An auger hole need not be plugged if the department finds that:
(7) The department shall prohibit auger mining, if it determines that:
AUTH: 82-4-205, MCA; IMP: 82-4-231, 82-4-232, 82-4-233, MCA