DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY  
OFFICE OF GEOLOGICAL SURVEY  
NONFERROUS METALLIC MINERAL MINING  
(By authority conferred on the director of the department of environmental quality  
by section 63203(1) of 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.63203(1))  
PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS  
R 425.101 Purpose.  
Rule 101. These rules implement the act, and regulate the construction,  
operation, closure, postclosure monitoring, reclamation, and remediation of nonferrous  
metallic mineral mines in the state of Michigan. These rules do not regulate the  
extraction of metallic minerals by in situ leaching when regulated under part 625 of  
the act.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.102 Definitions; A to L.  
Rule 102. (1) As used in these rules:  
(a) "Accelerated soil erosion" means the increased loss of the land surface that  
occurs as a result of human activities.  
(b) "Act" means 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.101 et seq.  
(c) "Aquifer" means a geological formation, group of formations, or part of a  
formation capable of yielding significant quantities of groundwater to wells or springs.  
(d) "Assurance instrument" means a financial instrument executed in favor of the  
department on a form approved by the department, including the following:  
(i) A surety bond executed by a surety company authorized to do business in the  
state of Michigan.  
(ii) A certificate of deposit or time deposit account held  
by a financial  
institution regulated and examined by a state or federal agency, the value of which is  
insured by an agency of the United States government.  
(iii) A cash bond.  
(iv) An irrevocable letter of credit issued by a financial institution which has the  
authority to issue letters of credit and whose letter of credit operations are regulated  
and examined by a federal or state agency.  
(v) A trust fund managed by a financial institution which has the authority to  
act as a trustee and whose trust operations are subject to federal or state oversight.  
(vi) An escrow account managed by a bank or other financial institution  
whose account operations are regulated and examined by a federal or state agency.  
(e) "Beneficiation" means the primary treatment of ore to separate or remove a  
metallic product or products from ore using a process including, but not limited to,  
any of the following:  
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(i) Crushing.  
(ii) Grinding.  
(iii) Washing.  
(iv) Dissolution.  
(v) Crystallization.  
(vi) Filtration.  
(vii) Sorting.  
(viii) Sizing.  
(ix) Drying.  
(x) Sintering.  
(xi) Pelletizing.  
(xii) Briquetting.  
(xiii) Calcining to remove water and/or carbon dioxide.  
(xiv) Roasting, autoclaving, and/or chlorination in preparation for leaching  
(except where this process produces a final or intermediate product that does not undergo  
further beneficiation or processing).  
(xv) Gravity concentration.  
(xvi) Magnetic separation.  
(xvii) Electrostatic separation.  
(xviii) Flotation.  
(xix) Ion exchange.  
(xx) Ex situ solvent extraction.  
(xxi) Electrowinning.  
(xxii) Precipitation.  
(xxiii) Amalgamation.  
(xxiv) Heap, dump, vat, and tank leaching.  
(f) "Contaminated" or "contamination" means having substances in  
concentrations that are above natural background and that are, or may be, harmful to  
the environment or to human health and safety as determined by the department under  
other applicable parts of the act.  
(g) "Cultural, historical, or archaeological resource" means a structure or site that  
meets any of the following requirements:  
(i) Is listed as a national historic landmark under the historic sites, buildings,  
and antiquities act, chapter 593, 49 Stat. 666, 16 U.S.C.461 to 467 as of the effective  
date of these rules.  
(ii) Is listed on the national register of historic places pursuant to the national  
historic preservation act of 1966, Public Law 89-665, 16 U.S.C.470 to 470a, 470b, and  
470c to 470x-6 as of the effective date of these rules.  
(iii) Is listed on the state register of historic sites pursuant to 1955 PA 10, MCL  
399.151 to 399.152.  
(iv) Is recognized under a locally established historic district created pursuant  
to the local historic districts act, 1970 PA 169, MCL 399.201 to 399.215.  
(h) "Cumulative impact" means the environmental impact that results from the  
proposed mining activities when added to other past, present, and reasonably  
foreseeable future activities.  
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(i) "Designated wellhead protection area" means a specific  
which is approved by the department as the surface and subsurface area surrounding  
a water well or well field that supplies a public water system and through which  
geographic area  
contaminants are reasonably likely to move toward and reach the water well or well  
field.  
(j) "Detroit consumer price index" means the most comprehensive index of  
consumer prices available for the Detroit area from the United States department  
of labor, bureau of labor statistics.  
(k) "Disposal facility" means a facility or a part of  
a
facility where  
overburden, waste rock, or tailings are intentionally placed into or on the land and at  
which the overburden, waste rock, or tailings will remain after closure.  
(l) "Earth change" means a humanmade change in the natural cover or  
topography of land, including cut and fill activities, which may result in or contribute to  
soil erosion or sedimentation of the waters of the state.  
(m) "Final reclamation" means reclamation performed after final cessation of  
mining with the intent not to resume mining.  
(n) "Financial assurance" means an assurance instrument or statement of  
financial responsibility provided by an operator to ensure compliance with the act,  
these rules, permit conditions, instructions, or orders of the department.  
(o) "Floodplain" means an area of land adjoining a river or stream that will be  
inundated by a flood with a magnitude that has a 1% chance of occurring or being  
exceeded in any given year.  
(p) "Groundwater" means water below the land surface in a zone of saturation.  
(q) "Hazardous substance" means that term as defined in part 201 of the act.  
(r) "Indian reservation" means any  
federally  
recognized reservation  
established by treaty, agreement, executive order, or act of congress.  
(s) "Indian governing body" means the governing body of any tribe, band, or  
group of Indians subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and recognized by  
the United States as possessing power of self-government.  
(t) "Interim reclamation" means reclamation performed  
temporary cessation of mining with the intent to resume mining.  
(u) "Life of the mine" means the period from issuance of  
through the completion of reclamation.  
in  
connection with  
a
mining permit  
(2) A term defined in the act has the same meaning when used in these rules.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.103 Definitions; M to Z.  
Rule 103. (1) As used in these rules:  
(a) "Mining activity" means any of the following activities for the purpose of,  
or associated with, mining:  
(i) Clearing of land.  
(ii) Drilling and blasting.  
(iii) Excavation of earth materials to access or remove ore.  
(iv) Beneficiation.  
(v) Reclamation.  
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(vi) Transportation of overburden, waste rock, ore, and tailings.  
(vii) Storage, relocation, and disposal of overburden, waste rock, ore, and tailings  
within a mining area, including backfilling of mined areas.  
(viii) Storage and transportation of chemical reagents.  
(ix) Construction of water impoundment and drainage features.  
(x) Construction of haul roads.  
(xi) Construction of utilities or extension of existing utilities.  
(xii) Withdrawal, transportation, and discharge of water.  
(b) "Nonerosive velocity" means a speed of water movement that  
conducive to the development of accelerated soil erosion.  
is not  
(c) "Organization report" means a certified statement, on a form prescribed by  
the department, giving the name, address, and plan of the business organization,  
and listing the following:  
(i) All corporate officers, directors, incorporators, and limited liability  
company managers.  
(ii) All other partners, shareholders, limited liability company members, or other  
persons who have the authority to make, or are responsible for making, operational  
decisions, including the construction, operation, closure, postclosure monitoring,  
reclamation, and remediation of a mine.  
(d) "Overburden" means unconsolidated earth material that overlies bedrock  
and that is or will be excavated by open pit mining methods to access ore.  
(e) "Percolation leaching" means a process for the primary purpose  
of the  
recovery of metals in an outdoor environment from a stockpile of crushed or excavated  
ore by percolating water or a solution through the ore and collecting the leachate,  
and includes the processes known as "heap leaching" and "dump leaching."  
(f) "Peripheral rock" means rock that is or will be left in place  
completion of mining and within 3 feet of either of the following:  
(i) The walls and floor of an open pit.  
after the  
(ii) The walls, floor, and roof of adits, portals,  
workings.  
(g) "Permanent soil erosion and sedimentation control measures" means  
control measures that are installed or constructed to control soil erosion and  
and  
underground mine  
sedimentation and that are designed to remain in place after final reclamation.  
(h) "Postclosure" means the period following completion of final reclamation  
in compliance with the approved reclamation plan.  
(i) "Public water supply well" means a well that provides water for a "type I  
public water supply," "type IIa public water supply," "type IIb public water supply,"  
or "type III public water supply" as those terms are defined in R 325.10502.  
(j) "Reactive" means susceptible to reacting, dissolving, or otherwise  
forming a leachate that is or may be harmful to the environment or to human health and  
safety as determined by the department under conditions that exist, or may exist,  
at a mining operation.  
(k) "Reclamation" means that reconditioning or rehabilitation of the mining area  
or portions thereof for useful purposes and the protection of the natural resources,  
including the control of erosion and the prevention of land or rock slides, collapses  
and subsidence, and air and water pollution.  
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(l) "Remediation" means the taking of actions that are necessary to prevent,  
minimize, or mitigate injury to the public health, safety, or welfare, or to the  
environment, including cleanup,  
removal, containment, isolation, destruction, or  
treatment of a hazardous substance released or threatened to be released into the  
environment; and associated monitoring and maintenance.  
(m) "Stabilization" means the establishment of vegetation  
or  
the proper  
placement, grading, or covering of soil to ensure its resistance to soil erosion, sliding,  
or other earth movement.  
(n) "Storage facility" means a facility or a part of a facility where ore, waste  
rock, overburden, or tailings is held for a temporary period, at the end of which the ore,  
waste rock, overburden, or tailings is treated, disposed of, or stored elsewhere.  
(o) "Surety bond" has the same meaning as "conformance bond" as used in part  
632 of the act.  
(p) "Tailings" means material that is separated from the metallic product in the  
beneficiation or treatment of minerals.  
(q) "Temporary soil erosion and sedimentation control measures" means  
interim control measures which are installed or constructed to control soil erosion and  
sedimentation and which are not maintained after project completion.  
(r) "Wetland" means that term as defined in part 303 of the act.  
(2) A term defined in the act has the same meaning when used in these rules.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
PART 2. PERMITS  
R 425.201 Permits.  
Rule 201. (1) An operator shall not begin mining  
activities  
without first  
obtaining a mining permit from the department. A person requesting a mining permit  
shall submit all of the following to the department:  
(a) A permit application on forms prescribed by the department, signed by the  
operator or an authorized representative of the operator.  
(b) A permit application fee as prescribed in part 632 of the act.  
(c) An environmental impact assessment.  
(d) A mining, reclamation, and environmental protection plan.  
(e) A contingency plan.  
(f) A description of the type or types and amount of financial assurance to be  
provided that will satisfy the requirements of R 425.301.  
(g) A list of all other applicable permits and licenses that are anticipated to be  
required.  
(h) An organization report on a form prescribed by the department.  
(2) Beneficiation activities shall require a separate mining permit under 1 or both  
of the following conditions:  
(a) The site of the proposed beneficiation activities is not within or adjacent to  
the site of other associated mining activities, either existing or proposed, that are  
subject to a mining permit.  
Page 5  
(b) The operator of the proposed beneficiation activities is not the same person  
as the operator of other associated mining activities, either existing or proposed, that  
are subject to a mining permit.  
(3) An applicant shall submit to the department 10 paper copies  
of the  
documents required under subrule (1), (a) and (c) to (h) of this rule, and shall also  
submit the documents in an electronic format approved by the department.  
(4) The department shall process an application for  
a
mining permit  
according to the requirements of section 63205 of the act, as follows:  
(a) Effective 14 days after the department receives an application for a mining  
permit, the application shall be considered to be administratively complete  
unless the department proceeds as provided under subdivision (b) of this subrule.  
(b) If, before the expiration of the 14-day period under subdivision (a) of this  
subrule, the department notifies the applicant that the application is not administratively  
complete, specifying the information  
necessary  
to make the application  
administratively complete, or notifies the applicant that the fee required to accompany  
the application has not been paid, specifying the amount due, the running of the  
14-day period under subdivision (a) of this subrule is tolled until the applicant  
submits to the department the specified information or fee amount due. The notice  
shall be given in writing or electronically.  
(c) Within 42 days after an application for a mining permit is determined to be  
administratively complete, the department shall hold a public  
meeting on the  
application. The department shall give notice of the public meeting not less than 14 or  
more than 28 days before the date of the public meeting. The notice shall specify the time  
and place of the public meeting, which shall be held in the county where the proposed  
mining operation is located, and shall include information on how to review or obtain a  
copy of the application. The department shall make a printed and electronic copy of  
the application available at a library or other public building in the county where the  
proposed mining operation is located, and shall post a copy of the application on  
the department website. The notice shall be given in writing to the city, village, or  
township and the county where the proposed mining operation is to be located and to all  
affected federally recognized Indian tribes in this state. The notice shall also be given  
by publication in a newspaper of local distribution in the area where the proposed  
mining operation is to be located.  
(d) The department shall accept written public comment on the permit  
application for 28 days following the public meeting under subdivision (c) of this subrule.  
Within 28 days after the expiration of the public comment period, the department  
shall reach a proposed decision to grant or deny a mining permit and shall prepare a  
document explaining the basis for the decision. The decision shall be based upon the  
permit application and the statutory requirements under part 632 of the act.  
The department shall establish a time and place for a public hearing on the proposed  
decision, and shall give notice of the public hearing not less than 14 or more than 28  
days before the date of the public hearing. The notice shall be given in writing to the  
city, village, or township and the county where the proposed mining operation is to be  
located and to all affected federally recognized Indian tribes in this state. The notice  
shall also be given by publication in a newspaper of local distribution in the area  
Page 6  
where the proposed mining operation is to be located. The notice shall contain all of  
the following:  
(i) The time and place of the public hearing.  
(ii) The name and address of the applicant, the type of mining proposed, and the  
location and general areal extent of the mining area.  
(iii) A statement of the department's proposed decision to issue or deny the permit.  
(iv) Information on how to review a complete copy of the application, the draft  
permit or denial, and the basis for the proposed decision.  
(v) A listing of other permits and hearings that are pending or anticipated  
under this act with respect to the proposed mining operation.  
(vi) The name, address, and telephone number of a representative  
of the  
department who may be contacted to obtain more information on the application.  
(vii) A description of the process for participating in the public hearing.  
(e) The department shall accept written public comment on the proposed  
decision to grant or deny a mining permit for 28 days following the public hearing.  
At the expiration of the public comment period, the department shall issue a report  
summarizing all comments received and providing the department's response to the  
comments.  
(f) Within 28 days after the expiration of the public comment  
period under  
subdivision (e) of this subrule, the department shall grant or deny the mining  
permit application in writing. A determination that an application is administratively  
complete does not preclude the department from requiring additional information from  
the applicant. The 28-day period under this subdivision shall be tolled until the  
applicant submits the requested information. If a mining permit is denied, the  
reasons shall be stated in a written report to the applicant.  
(5) The department may impose terms and conditions in a mining permit, in  
addition to those specified in the application, that are necessary to implement these  
rules and part 632 of the act.  
(6) The department shall not issue a mining permit authorizing percolation  
leaching unless the applicant demonstrates that the proposed percolation leaching  
meets the requirements of R 425.403.  
(7) Subject to subrule (9) of this rule, the department shall approve a mining  
permit if it determines both of the following:  
(a) The permit application meets the requirements of part 632 of the act.  
(b) The proposed mining operation will not pollute, impair, or destroy the air,  
water, or other natural resources or the public trust  
in those resources, in  
accordance with part 17 of the act. In making this determination, the department  
shall consider the extent to which other permit determinations afford protection to  
natural resources. For this subdivision, excavation and removal of nonferrous metallic  
minerals and of associated overburden and waste rock, in and of itself, does not  
constitute pollution, impairment, or destruction of those natural resources.  
(8) The department shall deny a mining permit if it  
requirements of subrule (7) of this rule have not been met.  
determines the  
(9) The department shall not issue a mining permit, or approve a transfer of a  
mining permit, to a person if the department has determined that person to be in violation  
of part 632 of the act, these rules, a mining permit, or an order of the department under  
Page 7  
part 632 of the act, unless the person has corrected the violation or the person has  
entered into written consent agreement to correct the violation pursuant to a  
a
compliance schedule approved by the department. The department may require  
compliance with the consent agreement as a condition of the mining permit.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.202 Environmental impact assessment.  
Rule 202. (1) The environmental impact assessment required under R  
425.201(1)(c) shall include, but is not limited to, the following:  
(a) For each of the conditions and features listed in subrule (2) of this rule:  
(i) An identification and description of the condition or feature as it currently  
exists within the mining area and the affected area.  
(ii) An identification of the proposed mining activities that may impact the  
condition or feature, and the process or mechanism through which the impact may  
occur.  
(iii) An analysis of the potential impacts of proposed mining activities on the  
condition or feature and, where applicable, the effects of the condition or feature on  
the proposed mining activities.  
(iv) A reference to the measures proposed to be taken under the mining,  
reclamation, and environmental protection plan to reduce or mitigate the potential  
impacts, and the predicted effects of those measures. If the measures are not  
required under part 632 of the act, then the environmental impact assessment shall  
identify other statutes or regulations, if any, under which the measures are required.  
(v) A map or maps and appropriate photographs, with any necessary  
explanatory documents or notations, showing the affected area for the condition or  
feature, and a description of the basis for determining the affected area.  
(b) An analysis of the potential cumulative impacts on each  
conditions or features listed in subrule (2) of this rule within the mining area and the  
affected area from all proposed mining activities and through all processes or  
of the  
mechanisms. The analysis shall consider additive effects, and the assessment of  
significant interactions between chemical and physical properties of any discharges, with  
reference to the physical and chemical characteristics of the environment into which  
the discharge may be released.  
(c) An analysis of feasible and prudent alternatives for the mining activities  
consistent with the reasonable requirements of the public health, safety, and welfare.  
The analysis shall include all of the following:  
(i) A description of feasible and prudent alternatives.  
(ii) A description of alternatives considered but not carried forward for further  
evaluation.  
(iii) A description of why the chosen alternatives are preferred.  
(d) The name and qualifications of the person or persons who  
environmental impact assessment.  
prepared the  
preparing the  
(e) A description of the methodologies  
applied  
in  
environmental impact assessment, including the following:  
(i) Quality assurance and quality control as approved by the department.  
Page 8  
(ii) Information that demonstrates that the methodologies  
and effective, or are widely used and generally accepted.  
are appropriate  
(f) The sources of information used in preparing the environmental impact  
assessment.  
(2) The requirements of subrule (1)(a) and (b) of this rule apply to natural and  
humanmade conditions and features including, but not limited to, the following:  
(a) Topography.  
(b) Soil series.  
(c) Geology of the bedrock and unconsolidated materials  
bedrock, including areal extent, thickness, lithology, and permeability.  
overlying the  
(d) Groundwater occurrence that may impact, or be impacted by, mining  
activities, including the following:  
(i) Thicknesses of aquifers, hydraulic conductivity, and interconnections  
between multiple aquifers and between aquifers and surface water.  
(ii) Depth to groundwater, groundwater recharge  
areas,  
groundwater flow  
direction, hydraulic gradients, groundwater velocity, and 3-dimensional flow paths.  
(iii) Seasonal variations of the items in paragraph (ii) of this subdivision.  
(e) Natural or artificial lakes, ponds, impoundments, rivers, streams, creeks,  
drains, seeps, and springs, including both of the following:  
(i) Observed levels or discharge rates.  
(ii) Predicted seasonal and long-term variations of levels or discharge rates.  
(f)  
A
complete water  
balance  
that  
accounts  
for precipitation,  
evapotranspiration, infiltration, runoff, streamflows, and groundwater and surface  
water withdrawals and discharges from mining activities.  
(g) Groundwater and surface water quality, including all of the following:  
(i) Specific conductance as an indication of dissolved solids.  
(ii) Temperature.  
(iii) The hydrogen ion concentration expressed as pH.  
(iv) Dissolved oxygen.  
(v) Concentrations of all of the following substances:  
(A) Cations of calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.  
(B) Anions of chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate.  
(C) Other total and dissolved elements and compounds that may be  
introduced or affected by the mining activities.  
(vi) Predicted seasonal variations of the parameters listed in paragraphs (i)  
to (v) of this subdivision.  
(h) Any known occurrence of groundwater that is contaminated so that a  
property is a facility as defined by part 201 of the act.  
(i) All documented private water supply wells.  
(j) All public water supply wells.  
(k) Irrigation and disposal wells.  
(l) Designated wellhead protection areas.  
(m) Floodplains, Great Lake shorelines, and wetlands.  
(n) Natural rivers as defined in section 30501 of the act.  
(o) Wild and scenic rivers as defined in 1968, Public Law 90-542, 82 Stat. 906.  
Page 9  
(p) Residential dwellings, places of business, places of  
worship, schools,  
hospitals, government buildings, or other buildings used for human occupancy all or  
part of the year.  
(q) Existing and proposed infrastructure and utilities.  
(r) Areas actively maintained for public recreation.  
(s) Natural areas as defined in R 324.35101.  
(t) State wilderness areas as defined in MCL 324.35101.  
(u) Federal wilderness areas as defined in 78 Stat. 890, 16 U.S.C. 1131.  
(v) Wild areas as defined in MCL 324.35101.  
(w) Research natural areas as defined in CFR Title 36, Section 251.23.  
(x) Land uses, land access, general size and shape of tracts of land, and current  
and historic land use trends.  
(y) Species and abundance of aquatic and terrestrial flora and  
fauna, and  
predicted variations in their occurrence based on at least 2 years of relevant  
information. Relevant information may include records of pertinent data at other  
sites having documented similar conditions or credible regional studies from  
acknowledged sources, but shall include at least 1 year of site-specific data.  
(z) Fish and wildlife habitats.  
(aa) Threatened species or endangered species as defined in part 365 of the act or  
in the endangered species act of 1973, Public Law 93-205, 87 Stat.884.  
(bb) Species of special concern as designated by the US forest service  
region 9 regional forester's list of species of special concern.  
(cc) Non-native or invasive plant and animal species.  
(dd) Ecological systems as identified in recognized published sources.  
(ee) Cultural, historical, or archaeological resources.  
(ff) Air quality.  
(gg) Meteorology, and predicted seasonal and long-term variations  
meteorology.  
of the  
(hh) Visual resources.  
(ii) Noise.  
(jj) Light.  
(kk) Seismicity.  
(3) For the conditions and features listed in subrule (2)(d), (e), (g), and (gg) of  
this rule, the required characterization of seasonal or long-term variations in the  
condition or feature shall be satisfied by a combination of documented observations of  
pertinent data over a period of at least 2 years at the monitoring site and records of  
pertinent data at other sites having documented similar conditions or credible  
regional studies from acknowledged sources. Seasonal and long-term variations at the  
monitoring site shall be predicted, where feasible, using statistical analysis  
demonstrating a confidence interval. The statistical analysis shall include an  
explanation of how the use of any data from other sites affects the confidence interval.  
Analysis of potential impacts shall incorporate credible extremes in the condition or  
feature based on the statistical analysis.  
(4) An applicant may describe the types of public input sought, if any, in  
preparing the environmental impact assessment, and may include the method used to  
collect public input and a summary of relevant comments.  
Page 10  
(5) Information required by rules promulgated under another part of the act or  
under other state or federal law and incorporated in the environmental impact  
assessment shall satisfy the requirements for an environmental impact assessment  
under these rules to the extent that the information addresses the area and activities as  
required under part 632 of the act.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.203 Mining Plan.  
Rule 203. The mining, reclamation, and  
environmental  
protection plan  
required under R 201(1)(d) shall contain a plan for the proposed mining operations.  
The plan shall include information that demonstrates that all methods, materials, and  
techniques proposed to be utilized are capable of accomplishing their stated  
objectives in protecting the environment and public health, except that such  
information may not be required for methods, materials, and techniques that are  
widely used in mining or other industries and are generally accepted as effective.  
The required information may consist of results of actual testing, modeling,  
documentation by credible independent testing and certification organizations,  
or documented applications in similar uses and settings. The plan shall include, at a  
minimum, all of the following:  
(a) A description of the type and method of mining, the expected operating  
life of the mine, and the anticipated rate and schedule of mining.  
(b) An estimate of the number of employees required for the mining  
operation, and variations in the number over the life of the mine.  
(c) Information depicting and describing the items listed in paragraphs (i) to  
(xxiv) of this subdivision that are mining activities or are part of, or associated with,  
mining activities. Information that is amenable to clear depiction on a map shall be  
shown on a map or maps of the mining area drawn to an appropriate scale on a  
topographic base and referenced to  
the nearest government-surveyed section or  
quarter-section lines.  
Other required information shall be presented, as  
appropriate, by cross-sections, photographs, documents, and engineering drawings.  
(i) Area, thickness, and characteristics of topsoil that will be stripped, and  
plans for stockpiling and stabilizing topsoil until it will be used in reclamation.  
(ii) Area, volumes, and characteristics of overburden and waste rock to be  
excavated; plans and schedules for excavating; and locations and dimensions of  
stockpiles and final placement areas.  
(iii) Area, volumes, types, and mineralogy of ore to be excavated, and schedule  
of mining and stockpiling ore.  
(iv) Plans for limiting access to stockpiles and storage or disposal facilities  
to prevent disposal of unauthorized materials.  
(v) A characterization of the geochemistry of the ore, waste  
rock, and  
overburden that will be mined, and peripheral rock that will be exposed in the process of  
mining, and of any tailings that will be generated. The characterization shall include  
the following:  
Page 11  
(A) Chemical and physical testing and modeling to predict the potential  
generation of acid, dissolved metals, and other related substances by reaction and  
leaching of the ore, waste rock, tailings, overburden, and peripheral rock.  
(B) Testing and modeling methodology.  
(C) A plan for monitoring the characterization during the proposed mining  
operation to calibrate and adjust the model and predictions.  
(D) Identification of the ore, waste rock, overburden, peripheral rock, and tailings  
that are reactive.  
(vi) Lithology and thickness of rock surrounding and overlying the ore body.  
(vii) The locations, depths, and contours of open pits.  
(viii) The locations and dimensions of shafts, portals,  
between the land surface and underground mine workings.  
or  
other openings  
(ix) The areal extent, depth, and dimensions of underground workings.  
(x) Types and uses of grouting of the walls of open pits and of the walls, floor,  
and roof of underground workings.  
(xi) A plan for preventing damage to the environment or public health or safety  
from subsidence, caving, or collapse of underground mine workings. The plan shall  
contain the following:  
(A) A description of any planned or intentional caving and subsidence.  
(B) Provisions to prevent adverse impacts to public or private water supplies  
or to an aquifer in the affected area.  
(C) Provisions to assure that any underground mining  
material damage to structures not owned or controlled by the operator.  
(D) Provisions to assure that any underground mining  
material damage to natural features on lands not owned by the operator.  
shall  
not cause  
shall  
not cause  
(xii) A description of water that will be used in the mining operations,  
including the source or sources of the water and intended rates and durations of  
pumping, diversion, or withdrawal.  
(xiii) A description of water that will be stored, transferred, or discharged in  
the mining operations, including:  
(A) The location, size, and capacities  
of  
any  
artificial ponds,  
impoundments, dewatering systems, diversions, other water control structures, and  
treatment facilities.  
(B) The estimated volumes, rates, and water quality of discharges,  
discharge locations.  
and the  
(xiv) Storage areas for equipment and vehicles.  
(xv) Buildings and other facilities or structures.  
(xvi) Areas for the storage and transfer of chemicals, fuel, and explosives.  
(xvii) Truck and mining equipment wash down areas.  
(xviii) Roads, railroads,  
docks,  
piers,  
and  
other transportation  
infrastructure, and provisions to prevent  
release  
of contaminants to the  
environment from ore or waste rock during transportation.  
(xix) Beneficiation processes, materials, and activities, including the following:  
(A) The types, extent, and sequence of beneficiation, including physical and  
chemical characterization of all materials, wastes, or products.  
Page 12  
(B) A description of any mills, concentrators, dryers, separators, chemical  
reactors, filtering equipment, electrolytic chambers, flotation cells, kilns, or other  
beneficiation equipment.  
(C) The type and amount of chemicals to be added.  
(D) The types, amounts, locations, sequence, schedule, and means of waste  
rock and tailings disposal.  
(E) Provisions to prevent release of contaminants to  
beneficiation equipment.  
the  
environment from  
(F) Tailings transport systems, if not buried, should be designed to provide for  
emergency tailings conveyance or storage should a pipeline break, plug, freeze or  
require repairs and be made accessible  
for inspection, emergency repair, and  
maintenance. Location of emergency spill areas shall be designed to prevent  
contamination of surface water. If a power failure occurs, then tailing pipelines shall  
be self draining to the tailings area or to an emergency spill area or standby  
pumps and pipelines or standby power shall be provided. In some cases (such as  
long pipeline over rough country), several spill areas may have to be provided.  
a
(xx) Plans and schedules for regulating or controlling  
including surface runoff, from within the diked area of a  
prevent breaching of the dikes, both during and  
drainage  
tailings disposal area to  
after mining. The plans and  
of water,  
schedules shall ensure that 24-hour 100-year precipitation events do not cause  
releases of water that are not in compliance with the conditions of the mining permit.  
(xxi) Plans and schedules for monitoring, containment, and treatment of surface  
runoff that has contacted, or may contact,  
ore,  
waste rock, overburden, or  
tailings determined to be reactive under R 425.203(c)(v). The plans shall be  
designed to reasonably minimize actual and potential adverse impacts on groundwater  
and surface water by preventing leaching or runoff of acid-forming waste products and  
other waste products from the mining process.  
(xxii) A soil erosion and sedimentation control plan that meets the standards  
of part 91 of the act to effectively reduce accelerated soil erosion and sedimentation  
that may impact the affected area. The plan shall include, but not be limited to, all of  
the following:  
(A) The location, description, and schedule for installing and removing all  
proposed temporary soil erosion and sediment control measures.  
(B) A description and the location of all proposed permanent soil erosion and  
sediment control measures, and provisions for establishing the permanent soil erosion  
control measures as soon as possible after an earth change has been completed or if  
significant earth change activity ceases.  
(C) Provisions to limit the exposed area of any disturbed land to the shortest  
feasible period of time.  
(D) Provisions to remove sediment caused by accelerated  
runoff water before it leaves the mining area.  
soil  
erosion from  
(E) Temporary or permanent control measures for the conveyance of water  
around, through, or from the area affected by mining activities to limit the water flow  
to a nonerosive velocity.  
(F) Provisions for temporary soil erosion and sedimentation control measures  
before or upon commencement of the earth change activity; for maintaining the  
Page 13  
measures on a daily basis; and for removing the measures after permanent soil erosion  
measures are in place and the area is stabilized.  
(G) Provisions for stabilizing the area with permanent soil erosion control  
measures as soon as possible after an earth change has been completed or if significant  
earth change activity ceases.  
(xxiii) Plans for conducting reclamation activities concurrently with mining  
operations to the extent feasible.  
(xxiv) Plans for inspecting, monitoring, and maintaining liners, final covers,  
leachate collection systems, leak detection systems, berms, and embankments,  
including frequency of inspections. Inspecting or monitoring shall be conducted at least  
monthly.  
(d) A map and description of ownership of all tracts of land in the mining area  
and within 1320 feet of the boundary of the mining area, including all of the  
following:  
(i) Ownership of surface rights.  
(ii) Ownership of mineral rights.  
(iii) Conservation easements as defined in section 2140 of the act.  
(iv) Historic preservation easements as defined in section 2140 of the act.  
(e) A description of measures to be taken to prevent damage to property not  
owned or controlled by the operator within and immediately adjacent to the mining  
area.  
(f) Measures to minimize impacts to the volumes and rates of recharge, flow, and  
discharge of groundwater and surface waters in the mining area and in the affected area  
sufficient to accommodate seasonal and long-term variations in precipitation, water  
quantity, and water quality.  
(g) A monitoring plan for monitoring of groundwater and surface water  
quality, groundwater levels, and surface water stage and discharge rates, during  
mining operations and during the post-closure monitoring period. The monitoring  
plan shall conform to existing statutes and rules, but is not required to include  
monitoring required under other permits.  
(i) The monitoring plan shall provide for monitor wells and structures to be located  
at points where mining activities have a reasonable potential for measurable impact  
on surface water or groundwater, taking into consideration the following:  
(A) Proximity to the mining activity.  
(B) The potential for diffusion and dispersion.  
(C) Horizontal and vertical groundwater gradients.  
(D) Seasonal variations in flow.  
(E) Topography, access, and other practical limitations.  
(ii) The monitoring plan shall comply with the requirements of R 425.406.  
(iii) The monitoring plan shall include all of the following:  
(A) Number and location of monitoring wells and structures.  
(B) Frequency of sampling and sampling procedure, including all  
following:  
of the  
(aa) The sampling method and volume of water to be removed from each well or  
sampling point during sampling.  
(bb) Steps taken to prevent cross contamination between samples.  
Page 14  
(cc) Sample handling and preservation methods.  
(dd) Laboratory analysis method.  
(ee) Laboratory method detection level.  
(ff) Quality assurance and quality control as approved by the department.  
(gg) Provisions for routine monitoring to be conducted at least every 3 months.  
(C) Sampling parameters, which shall include the following:  
(aa) Specific conductance.  
(bb) Temperature.  
(cc) The hydrogen ion concentration expressed as pH.  
(dd) Dissolved oxygen.  
(ee) Concentrations of calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.  
(ff) Concentrations of chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate.  
(gg) Concentrations of other total and dissolved elements and compounds that  
may be introduced or affected by the mining activities, as identified in the environmental  
impact assessment.  
(D) A description of the techniques used to present and evaluate water quality  
monitoring data.  
(E) A description of the method used to collect static water levels and present  
groundwater flow data. Static water level precision shall be to 0.01 foot.  
(F) The depth and screened interval for each monitor well.  
(G) Provisions for design, construction, and abandonment of monitoring wells  
and structures that comply with R 425.406(2).  
(h) A treatment and containment plan that describes proposed measures to  
prevent contamination of groundwater and surface water from leaching of acidic  
water or dissolved metals.  
(i) The treatment and containment plan required under this subdivision shall  
apply to earth materials that are determined to be reactive under R 425.203(c)(v).  
The plan shall describe proposed measures for the following:  
(A) Design, construction, and operation of stockpiles and storage or disposal  
facilities for ore, waste rock, overburden, and tailings.  
(B) The management of peripheral rock that has been determined  
in the  
environmental impact assessment to have  
groundwater or surface water.  
the  
potential  
to contaminate  
(ii) The treatment and containment plan required under this subdivision  
shall account for the volume, rate, and movement of leachate that may be generated,  
and the influence of weather on the generation of leachate, including any adverse  
impacts from severe or extreme weather events.  
(iii) The treatment and containment plan required under this subdivision  
shall meet all applicable requirements of R 425.409.  
(i) A general description of blasting materials and methods.  
(j) If a threatened or endangered species may be impacted, a plan to protect the  
threatened or endangered species that conforms to the requirements of state and  
federal endangered species laws.  
(k) Plans to monitor, prevent, minimize, and mitigate any adverse impacts of the  
proposed mining operation on flora, fauna, fish or wildlife habitats, and biodiversity.  
Page 15  
(l) Where percolation leaching is proposed as  
demonstrating compliance with R 425.403.  
(m) A plan and schedule for inspection or monitoring, or both, of  
related facilities at least monthly.  
a
mining  
activity, plans  
all mine  
(n) The name and qualifications of the person or persons who prepared the plan  
for the proposed mining operations.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.204 Reclamation Plan.  
Rule 204. The mining, reclamation, and  
environmental  
protection plan  
required under R 425.201(1)(d) shall contain a plan for the proposed final reclamation  
operations, including the  
reclamation. The plan  
anticipated  
schedule, sequence, and duration of  
shall include information that demonstrates that all  
methods, materials, and techniques proposed to be used are capable of accomplishing  
their stated objectives in protecting the environment and public health, except that  
such information may not be required for methods, materials, and techniques that are  
widely used in mining or other industries and are generally accepted as effective.  
The required information may consist of  
results of actual testing, modeling,  
documentation by credible independent testing and certification organizations, or  
documented applications in similar uses and settings. The plan shall include, at a  
minimum, all of the following:  
(a) Information depicting and describing the items listed in paragraphs (i) to (iv)  
of this subdivision. Information that is amenable to clear depiction on a map shall be  
shown on a map or maps of the mining area drawn to an appropriate scale on a  
topographic base and referenced to the nearest government-surveyed section or  
quarter-section  
lines. Other  
required information shall be presented, as  
appropriate, by cross-sections, documents, and engineering drawings.  
(i) Final land contours.  
(ii) Proposed final land use and relationship to surrounding land and land use.  
(iii) Ponds, streams, wetlands, roads, dikes, drainage ditches, and soil erosion  
and sedimentation control structures that will  
reclamation.  
remain after completion of  
(iv) Plans and schedules for stabilizing waste rock piles, settling ponds, tailings  
disposal facilities, overburden banks, open pit banks and walls, roads, and the plant  
site. The plans shall include sloping, grading, terracing, and revegetating that will  
prevent slumping, land or rock slides, or other slope failure and will effectively reduce  
accelerated soil erosion and sedimentation. The plans shall include the following:  
(A) Provisions for sloping or terracing of the banks or bottoms of open pit  
surfaces that will be under water after cessation of mining, or other measures to  
prevent a hazard to public safety.  
(B) Provisions for replacing topsoil from surface areas disturbed by the mining  
operation as appropriate for the approved final land use.  
(C) Vegetation species and quantities,  
preparation, seeding and planting  
maintenance, and final density of plants.  
seedbed  
methods,  
and  
planting area  
mulching, fertilization,  
Page 16  
(b) Evidence satisfactory to the department that the proposed reclamation  
will conform to the following minimum performance standards:  
(i) Final disposition of all toxic and hazardous wastes, refuse, tailings and  
other solid waste shall be managed in a manner that protects the environment,  
natural resources and public health and safety, and in conformance with all other  
applicable federal and state laws and regulations.  
(ii) All shafts, portals, or other openings between the land  
underground mine workings shall be sealed in a manner that will  
surface and  
protect the  
environment, natural resources, and public health and safety and in accordance with  
all other applicable laws and regulations.  
(iii) All surface structures, infrastructure, rock stockpiles, and tailings disposal  
areas constructed as a part of the mining activities shall be removed, unless they  
are converted to an alternate use in accordance with the proposed final land use.  
(iv) All disturbed surface areas shall be stabilized to prevent accelerated  
erosion by wind or water.  
(v) All disturbed surface areas shall be revegetated with a variety of plants that  
are native to the area, except that non-native plants may be used for revegetation in  
areas where appropriate for an approved final land use that is different from the  
premining land use. In addition, plant species not native to the area may be used  
as approved by the department when necessary to provide temporary stabilization  
of slopes and prevention of erosion.  
(vi) Both the mining area and the affected area shall be reclaimed to achieve a  
self-sustaining ecosystem appropriate for the region that does not require perpetual care  
following closure and with the goal that the affected area shall be returned to the  
ecological  
conditions  
that approximate premining conditions subject to changes  
caused by nonmining activities or other natural events. Any portion of the mining  
area owned by the applicant may be used for any legal purpose.  
(c) Plans for monitoring of ground and surface water quality  
postclosure monitoring period.  
during the  
(d) The name and qualifications of the person or persons who prepared the plan  
for the proposed final reclamation operations.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.205 Contingency plan.  
Rule 205. (1) The contingency plan required under  
include at a minimum all of the following:  
R
425.201(1)(e) shall  
(a) An assessment of the risk to the environment or public health and safety  
associated with potential accidents or failures involving the following, and the  
response measures that shall be followed in each case:  
(i) Release or threat of release of toxic or acid-forming materials.  
(ii) Storage, transportation, and handling of explosives.  
(iii) Fuel storage and distribution.  
(iv) Fires.  
(v) Wastewater collection and treatment system.  
(vi) Settling pond or tailings disposal area embankment failure.  
Page 17  
(vii) Air emissions.  
(viii) Spills of hazardous substances.  
(ix) Other specific natural risks defined by  
the  
environmental impact  
assessment.  
(x) Power disruption.  
(xi) Unplanned subsidence.  
(xii) Leaks from containment systems for stockpiles or storage or disposal  
facilities.  
(b) A section that contains all of the following information:  
(i) The procedure for notifying the general public, public authorities, and safety  
agencies in the event of an emergency.  
(ii) A list, by title, of personnel to be contacted and  
responsibilities.  
their  
duties and  
(iii) The actions to be taken to restrict access of nonessential personnel to the  
area.  
(iv) If evacuation of the public is necessary, then the procedure for conducting  
the evacuation.  
(v) A list of emergency equipment and its location.  
(c) A list of emergency telephone numbers, including the following:  
(i) Representatives of the operator.  
(ii) The emergency management coordinator.  
(iii) Local ambulance services.  
(iv) Local hospitals.  
(v) Local fire and police departments.  
(vi) The department of environmental quality.  
(vii) The pollution emergency alerting system.  
(viii) Federal regulatory agencies as appropriate.  
(ix) The department of natural resources.  
(x) The local unit of government.  
(d) A plan for testing the contingency plan to assure its effectiveness.  
(2) The applicant shall submit a copy of the contingency  
plan  
to each  
emergency management coordinator having jurisdiction over the affected area at the  
time the application is submitted to the department.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.206 Amendment of permits.  
Rule 206. (1) A mining permit may be amended at any time to address changes  
in the mining operation, natural or humanmade conditions, or technology, or to  
correct an oversight. An application for amendment of a mining permit shall be  
submitted on a form prescribed by the department, signed by the permittee or an  
authorized representative of the permittee. The application shall include revisions of any  
of the following that are affected by the changes:  
(a) The environmental impact assessment.  
(b) The mining, reclamation, and environmental protection plan.  
(c) The contingency plan.  
Page 18  
(d) Federal, state, and local permits and licenses that are anticipated to be  
required.  
(e) Provisions for financial assurance required under R 425.301.  
(f) Other terms and conditions of the mining permit.  
(2) A permittee may submit a request to the department to amend a mining  
permit.  
(3) The department may require a permittee to submit an  
amendment of a mining permit if the department determines that the terms and  
conditions of the mining permit are not providing the intended reasonable  
application for  
protection of the environment, natural resources, or public health and safety.  
(4) Within 30 days after receiving a request to amend a mining  
permit, the  
department shall determine whether the request constitutes a significant change  
from the conditions of the approved mining permit. If the department determines that the  
request is a significant change, then the department shall submit the request for  
amendment to the same review process as provided for a new permit application in R  
425.201(4).  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.207 Transfer of permit.  
Rule 207. (1) If a permittee desires to transfer the mining permit to another  
person, then the acquiring person shall submit to the department a request for the  
transfer of the permit. The request for transfer of the permit shall be submitted on  
forms prescribed by the department, and shall be signed by an authorized  
representative of the permittee and  
an authorized representative of the acquiring  
operator. The request shall include the following:  
(a) An update of the contingency plan.  
(b) Provisions for financial assurance as prescribed in R 425.301.  
(c) An organization report for the acquiring operator.  
(2) Upon receiving a request for a transfer of a mining  
department shall inspect the mining area and determine whether  
permit, the  
the existing  
permittee is in violation of part 632 of the act or these rules at the mining site. If the  
department determines the permittee to be in violation, then the mining permit shall  
not be transferred to  
a
person until the permittee has completed the necessary  
corrective actions or the person acquiring the mining permit has entered into a  
written consent agreement to correct all of the violations. The department may  
incorporate the consent agreement by reference in the mining permit.  
(3) A permit transfer is not effective until all other applicable permits are  
transferred to the acquiring operator. Until the department approves the transfer of a  
mining permit, the acquiring operator shall not operate the mine. Upon approval of a  
transfer request, the acquiring operator shall assume the responsibilities for mining  
activities specified in part 632 of the act, these rules, a mining permit, or orders of  
the department under part 632 of the act.  
(4) If a permittee conveys his or her authority to operate a mine to another  
person, and a request for transfer of the mining permit has not been approved,  
then, in addition to other enforcement actions, the department may order the  
Page 19  
immediate suspension of any or  
all  
mining activities at the permitted site,  
including the removal or sale of metallic product.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
PART 3. FINANCIAL ASSURANCE  
R 425.301 Financial assurance; requirements.  
Rule 301. (1) A mining permit shall not be effective until the permittee  
establishes financial assurance in an amount in accordance with the mining permit as  
issued and in compliance with this rule.  
A permittee shall thereafter maintain  
financial assurance that is approved by the department during mining operations and  
during the postclosure monitoring period, until the department releases the permittee  
from its obligation to maintain financial assurance upon termination of the mining  
permit or upon transfer of the mining permit to another operator. Failure of a permittee  
to maintain financial assurance after the effective date of a mining permit as required  
by this subrule constitutes a violation of the mining permit and is grounds for the  
department to  
order  
immediate suspension of any or all mining activities,  
including the removal of metallic product from the site, pursuant to section 63221 of  
the act.  
(2) The financial assurance shall apply to all mining and reclamation  
operations subject to the mining permit and shall be sufficient to cover the cost to  
administer, and to hire a third party to implement the reclamation, remediation, and  
postclosure monitoring required under part 632 of the act, these rules, a mining permit,  
or orders of the department under part 632 of the act, including the costs to remediate  
any contamination of the air, surface water, or groundwater that is in violation of  
the mining permit. The amount of financial assurance shall be determined as follows:  
(a) The operator shall provide an itemized list of reclamation, remediation,  
and postclosure monitoring activities and costs associated with all of the following:  
(i) Mining activities subject to the mining permit where reclamation has not yet  
been completed.  
(ii) Mining activities that are anticipated to occur under the mining permit.  
(b) The department may require financial assurance in an amount larger than  
calculated by the operator under subdivision (a) of this subrule based upon an analysis  
of the projected costs under subdivision (c) of this subrule by the department.  
(c) The cost estimate required under this subrule shall be based on equipment,  
materials, and methods normally available to  
a
third party contractor using current  
handbooks, publications, or other documented costs acceptable to the department. The  
cost estimate shall include at a minimum the costs for the following:  
(i) Reclamation.  
(ii) Remediation of any contamination of the air, surface water, or  
groundwater that is in violation of the mining permit.  
(iii) Administrative oversight.  
(iv) Reasonable contingencies.  
(v) Other necessary environmental protection measures.  
Page 20  
(d) The amount of an assurance instrument shall include  
assessed by the issuing institution for accessing the instrument.  
any  
possible fees  
(3) The financial assurance required under this rule shall consist of an assurance  
instrument or combination of instruments covering at least 75% of the total required  
amount. Financial assurance for the balance of the required amount, if any, shall  
consist of  
a
statement of financial responsibility. When determining the portion  
of the financial assurance required under this rule that may be satisfied by a statement  
of financial responsibility, the department shall consider the following:  
(a) The ability of the operator to pay for potential remediation costs in the case of  
a violation of this part, as demonstrated by the information in the statement of financial  
responsibility.  
(b) Whether the operator carries pollution prevention or environmental  
liability insurance, and if so, the amount of the insurance.  
(c) Whether the operator has received a recognized third-party certification  
of an environmental management system for mining operations.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.302 Assurance instruments.  
Rule 302. (1) An assurance instrument shall consist of any of the following:  
(a) A trust fund or escrow account as described in R 425.303.  
(b) A surety bond as described in R 425.304.  
(c) An irrevocable letter of credit as described in R 425.305.  
(d) A certificate of deposit or time deposit account as described in R 425.306.  
(e) Other equivalent financial instruments approved by the department.  
(2) All assurance instruments shall be issued or maintained by entities that are not  
affiliated with the operator and shall not be invested in the activities regulated under  
this permit.  
(3) Assurance instruments shall include a provision  
requiring  
the issuing  
institution to give prompt notice to the department and permittee of any action  
alleging bankruptcy or insolvency of the issuing institution or a violation that  
would result in suspension or revocation of the license of the issuing institution.  
(4) The operator shall be responsible for all administrative costs involved in  
establishing and maintaining assurance instruments.  
(5) An assurance instrument shall be payable to the state of Michigan.  
(6) The permittee shall execute an agreement with  
the  
department that  
stipulates that the department may draw upon the assurance instrument under the  
conditions described in subrules (13) and (15) of this rule. The agreement shall be  
executed on a form approved by the department.  
(7) The assurance instrument required by this rule may be satisfied in whole or in  
part by assurance instruments required by other parts of the act if those instruments  
address the remediation activities required under part 632 of the act.  
(8) The operator may submit a written request to the department to adjust the  
amount of an assurance instrument provided the total value of all assurance  
instruments equals or exceeds the amount required under the mining permit. If the  
Page 21  
request meets the requirements of these rules, then the department shall within 60  
days after receiving the request approve the adjustment.  
(9) A permittee may replace an existing assurance instrument with another  
approved assurance instrument or instruments that provides equivalent coverage,  
subject to approval by the department.  
(10) A financial institution shall not cancel, terminate, or suspend an assurance  
instrument without first giving the permittee and the department notice at least 90  
days before the effective date of the cancellation, termination, or suspension. Such  
cancellation, termination, or suspension shall not affect any liability that shall have  
accrued under the assurance instrument before the effective date of cancellation,  
termination, or suspension unless the permittee provides  
a
replacement assurance  
instrument approved by the department or unless the department shall otherwise  
release the assurance instrument.  
(11) A permittee is without the required financial assurance  
bankruptcy of the trustee or issuing institution, a suspension or revocation of the  
authority of the trustee institution to act as trustee, or a suspension or  
if  
filing of  
revocation of the authority of the institution issuing an assurance instrument to  
issue such instruments.  
(12) A permittee shall provide an alternative assurance instrument or  
instruments under the following conditions:  
(a) At least 30 days before the effective date of cancellation, termination, or  
suspension of an assurance instrument by the permittee or financial institution.  
(b) Within 30 days of the date the permittee becomes aware that a financial  
institution has become ineligible to provide or guarantee an assurance instrument  
due to bankruptcy or insolvency of the issuing institution or a violation that would  
result in suspension or revocation of the license of the issuing institution.  
(13) If a permittee fails to provide an alternative assurance instrument when  
required under subrule (12) of this rule, the department may do the following:  
(a) Immediately draw upon the assurance instrument or instruments.  
(b) Order the immediate suspension of any or all mining activities  
at the  
permitted site, including the removal of metallic product from the site, pursuant to  
section 63211(5) of the act. The permittee shall not resume the suspended mining  
activities until the department has determined that an acceptable replacement  
assurance instrument or instruments have been provided.  
(14) If the department draws upon an assurance instrument or instruments  
under subrule (13) of this rule, and the permittee subsequently provides an alternative  
assurance instrument or instruments approved by the department, then the department  
shall refund to the issuing financial institution or the permittee the forfeited funds,  
less any costs associated with the forfeiture.  
(15) The department may draw upon an assurance instrument to undertake  
action necessary to curtail or remediate any damage to the environment or public  
health under subrule (16) of this rule or to recover costs the department has  
incurred.  
(16) The department shall expend money from assurance instruments only for the  
recovery of costs described in R 425.301(2).  
Page 22  
(a) If the department takes action necessary to curtail and remediate any damage  
to the environment or public health under Sec. 63221(5) of the act, then the department  
shall file a claim for recovery of costs with the permittee. If the permittee fails to  
fully reimburse the department for the costs of such actions within 60 days after filing of  
the claim, then the department may recover its unreimbursed costs from the  
assurance instrument or instruments.  
(b) For any part of the department's costs not recovered from the permittee or  
the assurance instrument or instruments, the attorney general, acting for and on behalf  
of the department, may bring suit for the payment of the claim against the permittee  
and the financial institutions that executed an assurance instrument or instruments;  
provided, the liability of any financial institution for costs under the claim shall not  
exceed the value of the financial instrument or instruments provided by the  
institution under the provisions for financial assurance under these rules.  
(17) A permittee shall notify the department, by certified mail,  
of the  
commencement of a voluntary or involuntary proceeding under the bankruptcy  
provisions of Public Law 95-598, 11 U.S.C. Section 1 to 151302, naming the permittee  
as debtor, within 10 days after commencement of the proceeding.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.303 Trust fund or escrow account.  
Rule 303. (1) Subject to R 425.301, an operator may satisfy all or a portion of  
the financial assurance requirements by establishing  
a
trust fund that conforms to the  
requirements of this rule. The trustee shall be a bank or other financial institution that  
has the authority to act as a trustee and whose trust operations are subject to  
federal or state oversight. The trust agreement shall be executed on a form approved by  
the department and shall designate the department as the sole beneficiary.  
(2) Subject to R 425.301, an operator may satisfy all or a portion of the financial  
assurance requirements by establishing an escrow account that conforms to the  
requirements of this rule. The escrow account shall be maintained by a bank or  
other financial institution whose account operations are subject to federal or state  
oversight.  
(3) Investments of the trust fund shall be reviewed and approved  
department and may include the following fixed income investments:  
(a) U.S. treasury obligations.  
by the  
(b) State issued securities.  
(c) Time deposits.  
(d) Other investments of similar risk as approved by the department.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.304 Surety bond.  
Rule 304. (1) Subject to R 425.301, an operator may satisfy all or a portion of  
the financial assurance requirements by obtaining a surety bond that is executed on a  
form approved by the department and that conforms to the requirements of this rule.  
Page 23  
The surety company issuing the surety bond shall, at a minimum, be among those listed  
as acceptable sureties on federal bonds in circular 570 of the United States  
department of the treasury.  
(2) The surety company shall not be liable for deficiencies  
in the  
performance of reclamation, remediation, and postclosure monitoring, by the permittee  
after the department releases the surety bond or releases the permittee from the  
requirements of part 632 of the act.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.305 Irrevocable letter of credit.  
Rule 305. (1) Subject to R 425.301, an operator may satisfy all or a portion of  
the financial assurance requirements by obtaining an irrevocable letter of credit that  
conforms to the requirements of this rule and is executed on a form approved by the  
department. The issuing institution shall be a bank or financial institution which has  
the authority to issue letters of credit and whose letter of credit operations are  
regulated and examined by a federal or state agency.  
(2) The letter of credit shall include all of the following information:  
(a) The name of the operator.  
(b) The name and address of the mine.  
(c) The amount of funds assured for reclamation,  
postclosure monitoring by the letter of credit.  
remediation, and  
(3) The letter of credit shall be issued for a period of at least 1 year and shall be  
irrevocable during its term. The letter of credit shall be automatically extended for  
additional terms of 1 year from the current or each future expiration date unless the  
issuing institution provides the permittee and the department, at least 60 days before  
the current expiration date, written notice by certified mail that the issuing  
institution elects to terminate the letter of credit at the end of its then current term.  
(4) The irrevocable letter of credit shall not be for an amount in excess of 10  
percent of the bank's capital surplus account as shown on a balance sheet certified by a  
certified public accountant.  
(5) The issuing institution shall notify the department immediately if the issuing  
institution becomes ineligible to issue a letter of credit.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.306 Certificate of deposit or time deposit account.  
Rule 306. (1) Subject to R 425.301, an operator may satisfy all or a portion of  
the financial assurance requirements by placing funds in an insured, non-negotiable  
certificate of deposit or time deposit account held by a bank or other financial  
institution regulated and examined by a federal or state agency. The value of the  
certificate of deposit or time deposit account shall be insured by an agency of the  
United States government, unless otherwise approved by the department.  
(2) The certificate or account shall be in the sole name of the director of the  
department.  
Page 24  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.307 Statement of financial responsibility.  
Rule 307. (1) The statement of financial responsibility under R 425.301(3)  
shall consist of the following:  
(a) A written statement signed by the operator's chief financial officer that  
lists data that show that the operator meets the criteria specified in subrule (2) of this  
rule, and states that the data are derived from an independently audited year-end  
financial statement.  
(b) An independent certified public accountant's report on examination of the  
operator's financial statement for the latest completed fiscal year stating that the  
accountant has compared the data listed in the statement provided under subdivision  
(a) of this subrule with the amounts in the corresponding year-end financial  
statement and that  
the accountant asserts the operator's statement of financial  
responsibility meets the criteria of subrule (2) of this rule and nothing came to the  
attention of the accountant that caused the accountant to believe that the financial  
statements should be adjusted.  
(2) The statement of financial responsibility under R 425.301(3) shall meet all of  
the following criteria:  
(a) The operator must satisfy 1 of the following 3 conditions:  
(i) A current rating for its senior unsecured debt of AAA, AA, A, or BBB as issued  
by Standard and Poor's or Aaa, Aa, A, or Baa as issued by Moody's.  
(ii) A ratio of total liabilities to tangible net worth less than 1.5.  
(iii) A ratio of the sum of net income plus depreciation,  
amortization, minus $10 million, to total liabilities greater than 0.10.  
depletion and  
(b) The operator shall have a tangible net worth not less than 25%  
financial assurance required under R 425.301 plus $10 million.  
of the  
(c) The operator shall have total assets located in North America of not less than  
25% of the sum of the financial assurance required under R 425.301 plus the financial  
assurance requirements of other parts of the act and equivalent or substantially  
equivalent federal or state regulations. Declared mineral reserves, except for mineral  
reserves at the permitted site, may be utilized in determining current assets only to the  
extent that the value of the reserves exceeds the projected costs of development  
and production.  
(3) For determining qualifications for use of  
a
statement of financial  
responsibility, liabilities as determined under subrule (2) of this rule shall include  
responsibilities of the operator for reclamation or remediation, or both, at other  
mining operations owned or operated by the operator.  
(4) Within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year after the effective date of  
a mining permit, a permittee who utilizes a statement of financial responsibility to  
satisfy the requirements of this rule shall submit to the department documents  
described in subrule (1) of this rule for the fiscal year just completed.  
(5) If a corporate parent or affiliate of the operator meets the requirements  
of subrules (1) and (2) of this rule, then the operator may use its parent or affiliate to  
provide the financial assurance allowed under this rule. The department shall not  
Page 25  
approve an operator's use of a corporate parent or affiliate as acceptable financial  
assurance under this rule unless the parent or affiliate also provides the department  
with a guarantee of the amount sought to be assured through the statement  
of financial responsibility. The guarantee shall be in a form acceptable to the  
department.  
(6) If the permittee has reasonable knowledge at any time before the year-end  
review under subrule (4) of this rule that it ceases to meet the requirements of subrule  
(2) of this rule, then the permittee shall within 10 days notify the department.  
(7) The permittee shall provide alternate financial assurance within 60 days after  
the date on which the permittee finds, under subrule (4), (5), or (6) of this rule, that it no  
longer meets the requirements of subrule (2) of this rule.  
(8) The department may, based on a reasonable belief that a permittee no longer  
meets the requirements of subrule (2) of this rule, require reports of financial condition at  
any time from the permittee in addition to the information required by subrule (2) of  
this rule. If the department finds, on the basis of a review of such reports or other  
information, that the permittee no longer meets the requirements of subrule (2) of this  
rule, then the department shall notify and inform the permittee in writing. Within 30  
days of the notification, the permittee shall provide alternate financial assurance  
as specified in part 632 of the act.  
(9) Failure of a permittee to comply with the requirements of subrule (4) to (8) of  
this rule shall be cause for the department to order the immediate suspension of  
any or all mining activities at the permitted site, including the removal of metallic  
product, pursuant to section 63211(5) of the act. The permittee shall not resume mining  
operations until the department has determined that an acceptable replacement  
assurance instrument or instruments have been provided.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.308 Financial assurance; update.  
Rule 308. (1) A permittee shall update the calculation of the cost to administer,  
and to hire a third party to implement, the reclamation, remediation, and  
postclosure monitoring required under R 425.301(2) every 3 years or as the  
department determines to be necessary. The update shall include the following:  
(a) A description of the reclamation and postclosure monitoring completed  
since the last update.  
(b) An estimate of the cost to administer, and to hire a third party to implement,  
reclamation under the mining, reclamation, and environmental protection plan  
that has not been completed, as well as necessary environmental protection  
measures, including remediation of any contamination of the air, surface water, or  
groundwater that is in violation of the mining permit.  
(c) The effects of inflation on the costs of reclamation and postclosure  
monitoring.  
(2) A permittee shall update an assurance instrument required under R 425.301  
in accordance with 1 of the following schedules:  
(a) If the amount of the assurance instrument equals or exceeds the cost to  
administer, and to hire  
a
third party to  
implement,  
the reclamation,  
Page 26  
remediation, and postclosure monitoring as originally calculated, multiplied by the  
Detroit consumer price index as of January 1 of each year, then the permittee shall  
update the assurance instrument every 3 years by April 1 of the succeeding year.  
(b) If the amount of the assurance instrument does not equal or exceed the cost to  
administer, and to hire a third party to implement, the reclamation, remediation,  
and postclosure monitoring as originally calculated, multiplied by the Detroit  
consumer price index as of January 1 of each year, then the permittee shall update the  
assurance instrument by April 1 of the succeeding year.  
(3) The department shall provide notice of an adjustment of the financial  
assurance to any interested person who has requested notice.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.309 Final release of financial assurance.  
Rule 309. (1) A permittee may file an application with the department for final  
release of financial assurance upon termination of the permit.  
(a) Within 30 days after receipt of an application for termination of financial  
assurance, the department shall reach a proposed decision to grant or deny the  
application based on inspection and  
review  
to determine compliance with  
requirements for termination of the permit, and shall provide notice of the proposed  
decision to any interested person who has requested notice.  
(b) The department shall grant or deny an application for termination of financial  
assurance not less than 30 days or more than 45 days after providing the notice  
required under subdivision (a) of this subrule.  
(c) If the department grants the application, the department shall within 30 days  
release cash to the permittee or securities to the  
assurance instrument.  
institution that provided the  
(d) If the department denies the application, then the department shall notify  
the permittee in writing, stating the reasons for denial and recommending  
corrective actions necessary to secure the termination.  
(2) The department shall approve termination of all assurance instruments  
for a permittee of record upon the effective date of transfer of the permit to a new  
operator.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
PART 4. MINING OPERATIONS  
R 425.401 Notice of commencement of mining.  
Rule 401. (1) A permittee proposing to begin mining shall submit written  
notice to the department of the date mining will commence at least 30 days before  
commencing new mining activities.  
(2) A permittee who has ceased all mining activities for a period of 90 days or  
more shall submit written notice to the department of the date mining activities will  
resume at least 30 days before resumption of mining activities.  
Page 27  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.402 Safety measures.  
Rule 402. If hazards to life or property, or both, exist within a mining area,  
then the permittee shall post safety signs in conspicuous places around the site of the  
hazard. The permittee shall utilize fencing, gates, or other measures to safeguard the  
public from unauthorized entry into shafts, adits, portals, or other openings between  
the land surface and underground workings. The department may require the  
installation of fences, gates, or other safety measures not inconsistent with other laws  
or regulations.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.403 Percolation leaching; requirements.  
Rule 403. A person shall not conduct percolation leaching as a nonferrous  
metallic mining activity until such time as this rule is amended to establish standards  
and criteria for percolation leaching.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.404 Commencement of reclamation.  
Rule 404. (1) If a permittee has ceased all mining and beneficiation  
for a  
continuous period exceeding 90 days, the permittee shall notify the department  
and shall take actions to maintain, monitor, and secure the mining area and shall  
conduct any interim sloping or stabilizing  
of surfaces necessary to protect the  
environment, natural resources, or public health and safety in accordance with the  
mining permit.  
(2) A permittee shall begin final reclamation of a mining area within 3 years of  
the date of cessation of mining and beneficiation unless the department has granted  
an extension of time to begin final reclamation.  
(3) A permittee shall complete reclamation of a mining area within the time in  
the approved mining, reclamation, and environmental protection plan unless the  
department has granted an extension of time under subrule (4) of this rule to complete  
final reclamation.  
(4) A permittee may submit a written request to the department for an  
extension of time to begin or complete final reclamation.  
The department shall  
grant the request if the permittee shows good cause for the extension and the department  
determines the extension will not cause a threat of damage to the environment, natural  
resources, or public health and safety. If the reason for the request for extension is  
economics of the mining operation, then the permittee shall provide justification in the  
form of projections of metal prices, pending technological improvements, or other  
reasons demonstrating a likelihood that the mine may become economic at a future  
time. The term of an extension shall not be more than 12 months. The department  
Page 28  
may grant additional extensions subject to the provisions of this rule. When approving  
extensions, the department may require the permittee to conduct interim reclamation  
activities and monitoring that the department finds necessary to implement the  
purposes of the act.  
(5) A permittee shall, to the extent feasible, conduct reclamation  
activities concurrently with the mining operation, and in any event shall initiate  
reclamation activities at the earliest possible time after cessation of mining activities in  
any portion of the mining area.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.405 Notice and approval of completed reclamation.  
Rule 405. (1) A permittee shall submit written notice to the department upon  
completion of reclamation work on the mining area or portions thereof.  
(2) The department shall proceed promptly to make its determination as to the  
approval of the reclamation work and shall notify the permittee in writing of either  
the approval of the work or all reasons for disapproval.  
(3) Approval of vegetative cover shall not be granted until the planting has  
survived at least 2 growing seasons with reasonable assurances  
sustaining.  
of being self-  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.406 Protection of water.  
Rule 406. (1) A permittee shall conduct groundwater and surface water  
monitoring according to the approved monitoring plan as described in R 425.203(g)  
during mining operations and during the postclosure monitoring period.  
(2) An operator shall design, construct, and abandon a monitoring well as  
prescribed in R 323.2223(4).  
(3) Water monitoring shall include the collection of water quality samples  
from groundwater and surface water, groundwater  
levels,  
and surface water  
levels and discharge rates. The design of the water monitoring systems shall be  
based on all of the following:  
(a) The environmental impact assessment.  
(b) The local geology and hydrology.  
(c) Groundwater and surface water conditions specific to each activity.  
(4) Surface water monitoring sites shall be designed and located to adequately  
assess the impact of a specific mining activity on surface water.  
(5) Groundwater monitoring sites shall be designed and located as follows:  
(a) Leachate monitoring wells shall be located within, or as close as physically  
practicable to, a storage or disposal facility for the following materials that are  
determined to be reactive, to determine the geochemical conditions of the facility.:  
(i) Overburden.  
(ii) Ore.  
(iii) Waste rock.  
Page 29  
(iv) Tailings.  
(b) Compliance monitoring wells shall be located as close as physically  
practicable but not more than 150 feet from the mining activity being monitored.  
However, the department may approve an alternative water monitoring location if  
the operator demonstrates the location is protective of the environment and public  
health and safety, and a closer location is not feasible or effective.  
(6) A permittee shall notify the department and shall institute an increased  
monitoring program as may be directed by the department at such time as sampling of  
leachate monitoring wells or compliance monitoring wells detects concentrations of a  
solute 2 standard deviations above the long-term average background level for 2  
consecutive sampling events.  
(7) An action level is reached at such time as sampling of leachate  
monitoring wells and compliance monitoring wells detects either of the following:  
(a) Concentrations of a solute that equal or exceed ½ the level between the long-  
term average background and the drinking water standard for two consecutive  
sampling events.  
(b) Concentrations of hydrogen ion, expressed as pH, that differ from the long-  
term average background by 0.5 units or more for 2 consecutive sampling events.  
(8) When an action level is reached as described in subrule (7) of this rule,  
then the permittee shall proceed in a timely manner to do the following:  
(a) Implement increased monitoring as approved by the department.  
(b) Conduct a source investigation to determine the cause of the change in water  
quality and provide a report on the investigation to the department.  
(c) Implement a plan for response activity as approved by the department if the  
change in water quality is determined by the department to be caused by a release  
associated with a mining activity that is the responsibility of the permittee.  
(9) Failure of a permittee to meet the requirements of subrules (6) to (8) of this  
rule shall constitute a violation of this part. Implementing actions required by this rule  
does not relieve the permittee from other obligations under this act.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.407 Postclosure monitoring.  
Rule 407. The postclosure monitoring period shall be 20 years following  
completion and approval of reclamation, subject to the following conditions:  
(1) The permittee shall provide to the department a written request to terminate  
the postclosure monitoring not less than 18 months before the proposed termination  
date and shall provide the  
department  
with technical data and information  
demonstrating the basis for the termination. The department shall extend the  
postclosure monitoring period in increments of up to 20 years unless the  
department  
determines, approximately 1 year before the end of a postclosure  
monitoring period or postclosure incremental monitoring period, that there is no  
significant potential for water contamination resulting from the mining operation.  
(2) The department may shorten the postclosure monitoring period at any time  
upon determining that there is no significant potential for water contamination  
resulting from the mining operation.  
Page 30  
(3) The department may extend or shorten the postclosure monitoring period  
only after public notice and opportunity for a public hearing.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.408 Inspections by department.  
Rule 408. (1) The department may enter at all reasonable times in or upon a mining  
area for the purpose of inspecting and investigating conditions relating to the  
operation of a mining area.  
(2) If the department receives an allegation of improper action under or a violation  
of part 632 of the act, these rules, or a mining permit, and the person making the  
allegation provides evidence or corroboration sufficient to support the allegation, as  
determined by the department, the department shall do all of the following:  
(a) Make a record of the allegation.  
(b) Conduct an inspection of the mining operation to  
investigate the  
allegation not more than 5 business days after receipt of the complaint or allegation.  
(c) Not more than 15 business days after completing an investigation of the  
allegation, provide a written report of the allegation and the results of the investigation to  
the operator and the person who made the allegation.  
(3) The department shall conduct a complete inspection and report of a  
nonferrous metallic mineral mining operation at least quarterly to determine  
compliance with the act and these rules. An inspection under subrule (2) of this rule  
or under R 425.207(2) shall satisfy the requirement of this subrule if the inspection is a  
complete inspection.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.409 Treatment and containment of reactive materials.  
Rule 409. An operator shall manage overburden, ore, waste rock, peripheral  
rock, and tailings determined to be reactive  
under  
R 425.203(c)(v) in  
accordance with this rule and in a manner that is designed to reasonably minimize  
actual and potential adverse impacts on groundwater and surface water by  
preventing leaching or runoff of acid-forming waste products and other waste  
products from the mining process.  
(a) An operator shall design, construct, and operate stockpiles  
or storage  
facilities for reactive overburden, ore, waste rock, or tailings in compliance  
with paragraph (i) or (ii) of this subdivision.  
(i) A stockpile or storage facility shall meet the following requirements:  
(A) A stockpile or storage facility shall have  
a
composite  
liner system  
comprised of a flexible synthetic membrane that is not less than 60 mils thick and a  
layer of at least 3 feet of compacted soil having a maximum hydraulic conductivity of  
1.0 X 10-7 cm/sec.  
(B) The department may approve an alternative liner system that uses other  
materials or designs, including modified soil liners, or technologically advanced  
systems only if the operator provides data to demonstrate the alternative is capable  
Page 31  
of providing equivalent or better protection as compared to the requirements under  
subparagraph (A).  
(C) A stockpile or storage facility shall have a leachate collection system.The  
system shall be designed, constructed, and operated to limit the hydraulic head at  
the lowest point in the system to not more than 1 foot, excluding the collection sump,  
after construction.  
(D) A stockpile or storage facility shall have a leak detection system.  
(E) The liner, leachate collection system, and leak detection system shall be  
tested before the placement of overburden, ore, waste  
facility.  
rock,  
or tailings into the  
(F) A cover shall be employed to isolate the reactive overburden, ore, or waste  
rock from precipitation and air as soon as practicable.  
(G) A registered professional engineer or other qualified individual shall certify  
the proper design, construction, and testing of all liners, covers, and leachate collection  
systems required by this paragraph.  
The permittee shall submit the certification to  
the department and shall not begin placement of ore, waste rock, overburden, or  
tailings in the storage facility until approved by the department.  
(ii) Subject to approval of the department, an operator may utilize an alternative  
plan for a stockpile or storage facility for reactive overburden, ore, waste rock, or  
tailings. The department may approve an alternative plan only if the operator provides  
data that demonstrates that the alternative plan is capable of providing protection of  
groundwater and surface water that is equivalent to or better than that provided  
under paragraph (i) of this subdivision. The alternative plan shall incorporate 1  
or more of the following:  
(A) Measures to prevent the generation of leachate by adding a material or  
materials that counteract or neutralize the acid-forming or toxic characteristics  
of the ore, waste rock, overburden, or tailings.  
(B) Measures to treat or neutralize any leachate that may be generated  
before it migrates outside of the storage facility.  
(C) Measures to isolate the ore, waste rock, overburden, or tailings from oxygen  
and other oxidizing substances.  
(D) Measures to isolate the ore, waste rock, overburden,  
groundwater or surface water.  
or  
tailings from  
(b) An operator may utilize a disposal facility to manage, contain, or isolate  
reactive waste rock, tailings, overburden, or peripheral rock subject to approval of the  
department. A disposal facility may consist of a mined area that will be backfilled. The  
department shall not approve the plans for a disposal facility unless the operator  
demonstrates  
that the design, construction, operation, and closure of the disposal  
facility will reasonably minimize the actual and potential adverse impacts on  
groundwater and surface water by preventing leaching or runoff of acid-forming  
waste products and other waste products from the mining process and will not  
require perpetual care following closure in accordance with MCL 324.63209(8)  
and with R 425.204(b)(vi).  
(c) A stockpile or storage or disposal facility under this rule shall be monitored  
in compliance with R 425.406.  
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(d) A permittee shall conduct and maintain grading or diking at stockpiles  
and storage or disposal facilities subject to this rule to assure that surface water  
drains away from the storage or disposal area.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
PART 5. REPORTS  
R 425.501 Mining and reclamation report.  
Rule 501. (1) A permittee shall file an annual mining and reclamation report  
with the department; the city, village, or township where  
the proposed mining  
operation is located; and the Indian governing body having jurisdiction over an  
Indian reservation containing all or part of the mining area or affected area. The report  
shall be filed in printed and electronic format on or before March 15 of each year  
during the  
period the mine is operating and during the postclosure monitoring  
period. The department shall post a copy of the report on the department website.The  
report shall contain all of the following:  
(a) A map or maps drawn to an appropriate scale on a topographic base and  
referenced to the nearest government-surveyed section or quarter-section lines,  
accompanied by appropriate documents or notations, depicting and describing all of  
the following as they existed on December 31 of the previous year:  
(i) The locations and dimensions of portals, shafts,  
between the land surface and underground mine workings.  
or other openings  
(ii) The location, depth, and contours or  
underground mine excavations, or both.  
slopes  
of  
surface pits,  
spurs, power  
(iii) The location of buildings, equipment, roads,  
railroad  
supplies, fuel storage, or other pertinent features within the mining area.  
(iv) Overburden, waste rock, and ore stockpiles.  
(v) Settling ponds and tailings disposal areas.  
(vi) Drainage control structures and grading.  
(vii) Areas that the permittee has reclaimed during the past calendar year.  
(viii) Areas that the permittee anticipates will be reclaimed during the current  
calendar year.  
(ix) The name of the person or persons responsible for the preparation of the  
report, and the date of preparation.  
(b) An update of the contingency plan. The permittee shall provide a copy of the  
update to the emergency management coordinator.  
(c) A report of monitoring, leak detection,  
collection results for the preceding calendar year.  
inspection,  
and leachate  
(d) A report of the total tons of material mined from the mining area, and the  
amount of metallic product by weight, produced from the nonferrous metallic  
mineral mine for the preceding calendar year.  
(e) An updated organization report.  
(f) An update of the characterization of reactivity of the ore, waste rock, and  
overburden that will be mined, and peripheral rock that will be exposed in the process  
of mining, and of any tailings that will be generated.  
Page 33  
(g) A list and summary of the reports required under R 425.503(1)  
preceding calendar year.  
for the  
(2) Records upon which the mining and reclamation reports are based shall be  
preserved by the permittee for 3 years and made available to the department upon  
request.  
(3) A permittee shall file with the department an updated estimate of the cost of  
reclamation for mining activities planned for the current and succeeding 2 years of  
operation of the mine on or before March 15 of every third year after issuance of the  
mining permit.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.502 Update of contingency plan.  
Rule 502. In addition to the annual update of the contingency plan required in  
R 425.501(1)(b), a permittee shall promptly provide an update of the contingency  
plan to the department and  
the  
local emergency management coordinator  
whenever either of the following occurs:  
(a) A change of the notification process or local representatives of the permittee.  
(b) A substantial change in the site conditions or equipment noted on the plan.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.503 Report of incident.  
Rule 503. (1) A permittee shall promptly notify the  
emergency management coordinator having jurisdiction over the affected area, of any  
incident, act of nature, or exceedance of permit standard or condition at a  
department,  
and each  
a
mining operation that has created, or may create, a threat to the environment, natural  
resources, or public health and safety.  
(a) The notification shall be made as soon as possible following the incident,  
act of nature, or exceedance, by telephone or in person, to an authorized representative  
of the department during normal business hours or to the department pollution  
emergency alerting system between 5 p.m.and 8 a.m. and on weekends and holidays.  
(b) The permittee shall submit to the department a detailed written incident  
report giving the particulars of the incident, act of nature, or exceedance within 10 days  
of discovery. The report shall include all of the following information, to the extent  
known:  
(i) The name of permittee.  
(ii) The name of the person reporting the incident, act of nature, or exceedance.  
(iii) The date and time of the incident, act of nature, or exceedance.  
(iv) The nature of the incident, act of nature, or exceedance.  
(v) The nature and degree of the threat to  
resources, or public health or safety.  
the  
environment, natural  
(vi) Response actions taken or planned.  
(c) If the response to the incident, act of nature, or exceedance is not concluded  
at the time the incident report is filed as required by subdivision (b) of this subrule,  
Page 34  
then the permittee shall submit to the department a written final incident report within  
30 days after the incident response is concluded. The final incident report shall contain  
a summary of the initial incident report and an account of all response actions taken.  
If the final response to the incident, act of nature, or exceedance is not concluded  
within 30 days, then the department may require periodic progress reports.  
(2) Records upon which reports under subrule (1) of this rule are based shall  
be preserved by the permittee for 3 years or until the  
end of the postclosure  
monitoring period, whichever is later, and shall be made available to the department  
at all times.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
PART 6. MEETINGS AND HEARINGS  
R 425.601 Public meetings on prospective mining operations.  
Rule 601. The department may hold a public meeting or meetings at any time  
after it determines that there is a reasonable likelihood that a person will apply for a  
permit authorizing mining operations regulated under part 632 of the act. The purpose  
of the public meeting or meetings shall be to provide information on the regulation of  
nonferrous metallic mineral mining and to receive public comment on prospective  
nonferrous metallic mineral mining operations. This rule shall not prevent a local  
unit of government from taking any lawful action under section 63203(4) of the act.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
R 425.602 Contested case hearing.  
Rule 602. (1) Any person who is aggrieved by an order, action, or inaction of  
the department or by the issuance, denial, revocation, termination, or amendment  
of a mining permit under part 632 of the act may file a petition for a contested case  
hearing with the department. Following the filing of a petition, the State Office of  
Administrative Hearings and Rules shall conduct a hearing and issue a proposal for  
decision in accordance with provisions for contested cases in 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201  
et seq. and R 324.1 to R 324.81. Unless waived by the parties, the department shall  
issue a final decision on a petition for a contested case hearing within 6 months after  
receiving the petition.  
(2) A determination, action, or inaction by the department following a contested  
case hearing shall be subject to judicial review as provided in 1969 PA 306, MCL  
24.201 et seq.  
(3) A petition shall be in writing and shall set forth the basis for the filing of the  
petition. A petition filed more than 60 days after the petitioner knew, or reasonably  
should have known, of an order, action, or inaction of the department or a decision on a  
mining permit may be rejected as being untimely.  
History: 2006 AACS.  
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;