Administrative Rules of Montana
Department 17 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Chapter 17.24 - RECLAMATION
Subchapter 17.24.9 - Strip and Underground Mine Reclamation Act: Underground Coal and Uranium Mining
Rule 17.24.932 - DISPOSAL OF COAL PROCESSING WASTE
Current through Register Vol. 6, March 22, 2024
(1) To the extent that coal processing waste is not proposed for backstowing, it must be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the department that valid physical, economic, safety, environmental or other reasons exist for not doing so. Coal processing waste to be returned to underground mine works must be disposed of in accordance with a program approved by the department and the mine safety and health administration.
(2) All coal processing waste that is not backstowed must be hauled or conveyed and placed in new and existing disposal areas approved by the department. These areas must be within a permit area.
(3) Coal processing waste may be disposed of in head-of-hollow or valley fill configurations, including in an underground development waste fill, if the processing waste is:
(4) Coal processing waste materials from activities located outside a permit area, such as those activities at other mines or abandoned mine waste piles, may not be disposed of in the permit area unless it can be demonstrated that:
(5)
(6) Coal processing waste disposal areas and structures must be designed, constructed, and reclaimed in compliance with ARM 17.24.924 and the requirements of this rule. In addition, if disposal in valley or head-of-hollow fill is proposed, the relevant requirements of ARM 17.24.925 and 17.24.926 apply.
(7) A properly designed subdrainage system must be installed. Each system must:
(8)
(9) Following grading of the coal processing waste disposal area, the site must be covered with a minimum of 4 feet of the best available non-toxic and non-combustible material, and in a manner that does not impede flow from subdrainage systems. Toxic, acid-forming and other deleterious coal processing waste must be handled and covered in accordance with ARM 17.24.501(2) and 17.24.505(2). The coal processing waste disposal area must be revegetated in accordance with subchapter 7.
(10) Coal processing waste fires must be extinguished by the operator in accordance with a plan approved by the department and in compliance with the applicable requirements of the mine safety and health administration. The plan must contain, at a minimum, provisions to ensure that only those persons authorized by the operator and who have an understanding of the procedures to be used may be involved in the extinguishing operations.
AUTH: 82-4-205, 82-4-231, MCA; IMP: 82-4-227, 82-4-231, 82-4-232, 82-4-233, MCA