Oklahoma Administrative Code
Title 460 - Department of Mines
Chapter 20 - The Permanent Regulations Governing the Coal Reclamation Act of 1979
Subchapter 43 - Permanent Program Performance Standards: Surface Mining Standards
Section 460:20-43-39 - Backfilling and grading: thin overburden

Universal Citation: OK Admin Code 460:20-43-39

Current through Vol. 42, No. 1, September 16, 2024

(a) Definition. Thin overburden means insufficient spoil and other waste materials available from the entire permit area to restore the disturbed area to its approximate original contour. Insufficient spoil and other waste materials occur where the overburden thickness times the swell factor, plus the thickness of other available waste materials, is less than the combined thickness of the overburden and the coal bed prior to removing the coal, so that after backfilling and grading the surface configuration of the reclaimed area would not:

(1) Closely resemble the surface configuration of the land prior to mining; or

(2) Blend into and complement the drainage pattern of the surrounding terrain.

(b) Performance standards. Where thin overburden occurs within the permit area, the permittee at a minimum shall:

(1) Use all spoil and waste materials available from the entire permit area to attain the lowest practicable grade, but no more than the angle of repose; and

(2) Meet the requirements of Sections 460:20-43-24(a) (2) through (j) of this Chapter.

Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3496, eff 8-11-97

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Oklahoma may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.