Title 43—Public Lands: Interior--Volume 1
PART 3590—SOLID MINERALS (OTHER THAN COAL) EXPLORATION AND MINING OPERATIONS
§ 3590.0-1   Purpose.
The purpose of the regulations in this part is to promote orderly and efficient prospecting, exploration, testing, development, mining and processing operations and production practices without waste or avoidable loss of minerals or damage to deposits; to encourage maximum recovery and use of all known mineral resources; to promote operating practices which will avoid, minimize or correct damage to the environment—land, water and air—and avoid, minimize or correct hazards to public health and safety; and to obtain a proper record and accounting of all minerals produced.
§ 3590.0-2   Policy.
The regulations in this part are administered under the direction of the Director, Bureau of Land Management.
§ 3590.0-3   Authority.
Authority for carrying out the regulations in this part is set out in § 3500.0-3 of this title, unless otherwise noted.
§ 3590.0-5   Definitions.
As used in this part, the term:
(a) Established requirements means applicable law and regulations, lease, license or permit terms, conditions and special stipulations; approved mine or exploration plan requirements; and orders issued by the authorized officer.
(b) General mining order means a formal numbered order issued in a rulemaking procedure by the Department of the Interior which implements the regulations in this part and applied to mining and related operations.
(c) Lessee means any person, partnership, association, corporation or municipality that holds a mineral lease, through issuance or assignment, in whole or part, which lease is subject to the provisions of this part.
(d) Licensee means any person, partnership, association, corporation or municipality that holds a mineral license, through issuance or assignment, in whole or part, which license is subject to the provisions of this part.
(e) Permittee means any person, partnership, association, corporation or municipality that holds a mineral prospecting permit, through issuance, or assignment, in whole or part, which permit is subject to the provisions of this part.
(f) Operator means anyone authorized to conduct operations pursuant to the regulations in this part.
(g) Reclamation means the measures undertaken to bring about the necessary reconditioning or restoration of lands or water affected by exploration, mining, on-site processing operations or waste disposal in a manner which, among other things, will prevent or control on-site or offsite damage to the environment.
(h) Ultimate maximum recovery means that all portions of a leased Federal mineral deposit shall be mined, based on standard industry operating practices. The requirement to achieve ultimate maximum recovery does not in any way restrict the authorized officer's authority to ensure the conservative of the mineral resource and protection of the other resources.
§ 3590.0-7   Scope.
The regulations in this part govern operations for the discovery, testing, development, mining, reclamation, and processing of all minerals under lease, license or permit issued for Federal lands under the regulations in Group 3500 of this title or part 3140 of this title. For operations, involving the extraction of hydrocarbon from tar sands or oil shale by in-situ methods utilizing boreholes or wells, part 3160 of this title is applicable. These regulations also govern operations for all minerals on Indian tribal lands and allotted Indian lands leased under 25 CFR parts 211 and 212. Further, when the regulations in this part related to matters included in 25 CFR part 215 or 216 the regulations in this part shall be considered as supplemental and the regulations in 25 CFR part 215 or 216 shall govern to the extent of any inconsistencies.
§ 3590.2   Responsibility of the authorized officer.
The authorized officer shall regulate prospecting, exploration, testing, development, mining, processing operations, and reclamation authorized under this part. The duties of the authorized officer include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) Approval of operating plans and plan modifications after preparation of appropriate environmental analyses. Prior to approving a plan, the authorized officer shall consult with the agency having jurisdiction over the lands with respect to the surface protection and reclamation aspects of such plan.
(b) Inspection, at least quarterly, of leased, licensed or permitted lands where operations for discovery, testing, development, mining, reclamation, or processing of minerals are being conducted.
(c) Inspection and regulation of such operations for the purpose of preventing waste of mineral substances or damage to formations and deposits containing them, or damage to other formations, deposits or nonmineral resources affected by the operations.
(d) Inspecting exploration and mining operations to determine the adequacy of water management and pollution control measures taken for the protection of the quality of surface and groundwater resources and the adequacy of emission control measures taken for the protection of air quality. Such inspection shall be conducted as necessary and shall be fully coordinated with all State and Federal agencies having jurisdiction.
(e) Requiring operators to conduct operations in compliance with established requirements, including the law, regulations, the terms and conditions of the lease, license or permit, the requirements of approved exploration or mining plans, notices and orders and special stipulations.
(f) Obtaining the records of production of minerals and other information as necessary in order to verify that production reported to the Minerals Management Service for royalty purposes is an accurate accounting of minerals produced.
(g) Acting on applications for suspension of operations and production filed under § 3503.3 of this title and terminating such suspensions when conditions warrant. The authorized officer shall, upon request, assist in review of applications for suspension of operations and production on Indian lands which are filed under the provisions of 25 CFR parts 211 and 212.
(h) Upon receipt of a written request for cessation or abandonment of operations, inspecting the operations and determining whether they are in compliance with established requirements. The authorized officer shall, in accordance with applicable procedures, consult with, or obtain the concurrence of the State or Federal agency having jurisdiction over the lands with respect to the surface protection and reclamation requirements of the lease, license or permit and the exploration or mining plan.
(i) Acting on any mineral trespass on Federal or Indian lands in accordance with part 9230 of this title. The surface managing agency, if other than the BLM, shall be notified of any mineral trespass and the planned enforcement action.
(j) Implementing General Mining Orders and issuing other orders, making determinations and providing concurrence and approvals as necessary to implement or assure compliance with the regulations in this part. Any verbal orders, approvals or concurrences shall be promptly confirmed in writing.
§ 3591.1   General obligations of lessees, licensees and permittees.
(a) Operations for the discovery, testing, development, mining or processing of minerals shall conform to the established requirements.
(b) The surface of lease, license or permit lands shall be reclaimed in accordance with established requirements. Lessees, licensees or permittees shall take such action as may be needed to avoid, minimize or repair:
(1) Waste and damage to mineral-bearing formations;
(2) Soil erosion;
(3) Pollution of the air;
(4) Pollution of surface or ground water;
(5) Damage to vegetation;
(6) Injury to or destruction of fish or wildlife and their habitat;
(7) Creation of unsafe or hazardous conditions;
(8) Damage to improvements; and
(9) Damage to recreation, scenic, historical and ecological values of the lands.
(10) Damage to scientifically significant paleontological and archaeological resources.
(c) All operations conducted under this part shall be consistent with Federal and State water and air quality standards.
(d) Inundations, fires, fatal accidents, accidents threatening damage to the mine, the lands or the deposits, or conditions which could cause water pollution shall be reported promptly to the authorized officer. The notice required by this section shall be in addition to any notice or reports required by 30 CFR part 56 or 57, or other applicable regulations.
§ 3591.2   Forms and reports.
The operator shall submit production and royalty forms and reports to the Minerals Management Service in accordance with 30 CFR parts 216 and 218.
§ 3592.1   Operating plans.
(a) Before conducting any operations under any lease(s), license(s), or permit(s), the operator shall submit to the authorized officer an exploration or mining plan which shall show in detail the proposed exploration, prospecting, testing, development or mining operations to be conducted. Exploration and mining plans shall be consistent with and responsive to the requirements of the lease, license or permit for the protection of nonmineral resources and for the reclamation of the surface of the lands affected by the operations on Federal or Indian lease(s), license(s), or permits. The authorized officer shall consult with any other agency involved, and shall promptly approve the plans or indicate what additional information is necessary to conform to the provisions of the established requirements. No operations shall be conducted except as provided in an approved plan.
(b) The exploration plan shall be submitted in accordance with mineral specific regulations in Group 3500 of this title (See subparts 3512, 3522, 3532, 3542, 3552 and 3562) and in accordance with 25 CFR 216.6 for Indian lands.
(c) The lessee/operator shall submit 2 copies of the mining plan to the authorized officer for approval. An additional copy shall be submitted if the surface managing agency is other than the BLM. The mining plan shall contain, at a minimum, the following:
(1) Names, addresses and telephone numbers of those responsible for operations to be conducted under the approved plan to whom notices and orders are to be delivered, names and addresses of lessees, Federal lease serial numbers and names and addresses of surface and mineral owners of record, if other than the United States;
(2) A general description of geologic conditions and mineral resources, with appropriate maps, within the area where mining is to be conducted;
(3) A copy of a suitable map or aerial photograph showing the topography, the area covered by the lease(s), the name and location of major topographic and cultural features and the drainage plan away from the affected area;
(4) A statement of proposed methods, of operating, including a description of the surface or underground mining methods, the proposed roads, the size and location of structures and facilities to be built, mining sequence, production rate, estimated recovery factors, stripping ratios and number of acres in the Federal or Indian lease(s), license(s), or permit(s) to be affected;
(5) An estimate of the quantity and quality of the mineral resources, proposed cutoff grade and, if applicable, proposed blending procedures for all leases covered by the mining plan;
(6) An explanation of how ultimate maximum recovery of the resource will be achieved for the Federal or Indian lease(s). If a mineral deposit, or portion thereof, is not to be mined or is to be rendered unminable by the operation, the operator/lessee shall submit appropriate justification to the authorized officer for approval;
(7) Appropriate maps and cross sections showing:
(i) Federal or Indian lease boundaries and serial numbers;
(ii) Surface ownership and boundaries;
(iii) Locations of existing and abandoned mines;
(iv) Typical structure cross sections;
(v) Location of shafts or mining entries, strip pits, waste dumps, and surface facilities; and
(vi) Typical mining sequence, with appropriate timeframes;
(8) A narrative which addresses the environmental aspects associated with the proposed mine which includes, at a minimum, the following:
(i) An estimate of the quantity of water to be used and pollutants that may enter any receiving waters;
(ii) A design for the necessary impoundment, treatment or control of all runoff water and drainage from workings to reduce soil erosion and sedimentation and to prevent the pollution of receiving waters;
(iii) A description of measures to be taken to prevent or control fire, soil erosion, subsidence, pollution of surface and ground water, pollution of air, damage to fish or wildlife or other natural resources and hazards to public health and safety; and
(9) A reclamation schedule and the measures to be taken for surface reclamation of the Federal or Indian lease(s). license(s), or permit(s) that will ensure compliance with the established requirements. In those instances in which the lease requires the revegetation of an area affected by operations, the mining plan shall show:
(i) Proposed methods of preparation and fertilizing the soil prior to replanting;
(ii) Types and mixtures of shrubs, trees or tree seedlings, grasses or legumes to be planted; and
(iii) Types and methods of planting, including the amount of grasses or legumes per acre, or the number and spacing of trees or tree seedlings, or combinations of grasses and trees;
(10) The method of abandonment of operations on Federal or Indian lease(s), license(s), and permit(s) proposed to protect the unmined recoverable reserves and other resources, inlcuding the method proposed to fill in, fence or close all surface openings which are a hazard to people or animals. Abandonment of operations also is subject to the provisions of subpart 3595 of this title; and
(11) Any additional information that the authorized officer deems necessary for approval of the plan.
(d)(1) Approved exploration and mining plans may be modified at any time to adjust to changed conditions or to correct an oversight. To obtain approval of an exploration or mining plan modification, the operator/lessee shall submit a written statement of the proposed modification and the justification for such modification. Any proposed exploration or mining plan modification(s) shall not be implemented unless previously approved by the authorized officer.
(2) The authorized officer may require a modification to the approved exploration or mining plan if conditions warrant.
(e) If circumstances warrant, or if development of an exploration or mining plan for the entire operation is dependent upon unknown factors which cannot or will not be determined except during the progress of the operations, a partial plan may be approved and supplemented from time to time. The operator/lessee shall not, however, perform any operation except under an approved plan.
§ 3592.2   Maps of underground workings and surface operations.
Maps of underground workings and surface operations shall be drawn to a scale acceptable to the authorized officer. All maps shall be appropriately marked with reference to Government land marks or lines and elevations with reference to sea level. When required by the authorized officer, vertical projections and cross sections shall accompany plan views. Maps shall be based on accurate surveys and certified by a professional engineer, professional land surveyor or other professionally qualified person. Accurate copies of such maps or reproductive material or prints thereof shall be furnished by the operator to the authorized officer when and as required.
§ 3592.3   Production maps.
(a) The operator shall prepare maps which show mineral production from the leased lands. All excavations in each separate bed or deposit shall be shown in such a manner that the production of minerals for any royalty period can be accurately ascertained. Maps submitted for in situ or solution mining shall show pipelines, meter locations, or other points of measurement necessary for production verification. Production maps shall be submitted to the authorized officer at the end of each royalty reporting period or on a schedule determined by the authorized officer. As appropriate or required by the authorized officer, production maps also shall show surface boundaries, lease boundaries and topography, including subsidence resulting from mining activities.
(b) In the event of failure of the operator to furnish the maps required by this section, the authorized officer shall employ a licensed mine surveyor to make a survey and maps of the mine, and the cost thereof shall be charged to and promptly paid by the operator/lessee.
(c) If the authorized officer believes any map submitted by an operator/lessee is incorrect, the authorized officer may cause a survey to be made, and if the survey shows the map submitted by the operator/lessee to be substantially incorrect in whole or in part, the cost of making the survey and preparing the map shall be charged to and promptly paid by the operator/lessee.
§ 3593.1   Core or test hole cores, samples, cuttings.
(a) The operator/lessee shall submit promptly to the authorized officer a signed copy of records of all core or test holes made on the lands covered by the lease, license or permit. The records shall be in a form that will allow the position and direction of the holes to be located on a map. The records shall include a log of all strata penetrated and conditions encountered, such as water, gas or unusual conditions. Copies of analysis of all samples shall be transmitted to the authorized officer as soon as obtained or as requested by the authorized officer. The operator/lessee shall furnish the authorized officer a detailed lithologic log of each drill hole and all other in-hole surveys or other logs produced. The core from test holes shall be retained by the operator/lessee for 1 year or such other period as may be directed by the authorized officer, and shall be available for inspection by the authorized officer. The authorized officer may cut such cores and receive samples as appropriate. Upon the request of the authorized officer, the operator/lessee shall furnish samples of strata, drill cuttings and mill products.
(b) Surface drill holes for development or holes for prospecting shall be abandoned to the satisfaction of the authorized officer by cementing and/or casing or by other methods approved in advance by the authorized officer and in a manner to protect the surface and not endanger any present or future underground operation or any deposit of oil, gas, other mineral substances or aquifer.
(c) Logs and analyses of development holes shall not be required unless specifically requested by the authorized officer. Drill holes may be converted to surveillance wells for the purpose of determining the effect of subsequent operations upon the quantity, quality of pressure of ground water or mine gases. Such conversion may be required by the authorized officer or requested by the operator/lessee and approved by the authorized officer. Prior to the termination of the lease, license or permit term, all surveillance wells shall be reclaimed unless the surface owner assumes responsibility for reclamation of such surveillance wells. The transfer of liability for reclamation shall be approved in writing by the authorized officer.
(d) When drilling on lands with potential for encountering high pressure oil, gas or geothermal formations, drilling equipment shall be equipped with blowout control devices acceptable to the authorized officer.
§ 3594.1   Ultimate maximum recovery.
(a) Mining operations shall be conducted in a manner to yield the ultimate maximum recovery of the mineral deposits, consistent with the protection and use of other natural resources and the protection and preservation of the environment—land, water and air. All shafts, main exits and passageways, as well as overlying beds or mineral deposits that at a future date may be of economic importance, shall be protected by adequate pillars in the deposit being worked or by such other means as approved by the authorized officer.
(b) New geologic information obtained during mining regarding any mineral deposits on the lease shall be fully recorded and a copy of the record furnished to the authorized officer, if requested.
§ 3594.2   Support pillars.
Sufficient pillars shall be left during first mining to ensure the ultimate maximum recovery of mineral deposits prior to abandonment. All boundary pillars shall be 50 feet thick unless otherwise specified in writing by the authorized officer. Boundary and other main pillars shall be mined only with the written consent or by order of the authorized officer.
§ 3594.3   Boundary pillars and isolated blocks.
(a) If the ore on adjacent lands subject to the regulations in this part has been worked out beyond any boundary pillar, if the water level beyond the pillar is below the operator's/lessee's adjacent operations, and if no other hazards exist, the operator/lessee shall, on the written order of the authorized officer, mine out and remove all available ore in such boundary pillar, both in the lands covered by the lease and in the adjoining premises, when the authorized officer determines that such ore can be mined without undue hardship to the operator/lessee.
(b) If the mining rights in adjoining premises are privately owned or controlled, an agreement may be made with the owners of such interests for the extraction of the ore in the boundary pillars.
(c) Narrow strips of ore between leased lands and the outcrop on other lands subject to the regulations in this part and small blocks of ore adjacent to leased lands that would otherwise be isolated or lost may be mined under the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.
§ 3594.4   Development on leased lands through adjoining mines as part of a mining unit.
An operator/lessee may mine a leased tract from an adjoining underground mine on lands privately owned or controlled or from adjacent leased lands, under the following conditions:
(a) The only connections between the mine on lands privately owned or controlled and the mine on leased lands shall be the main haulageways, the ventilationways and the escapeways. Substantial concrete frames and fireproof doors that can be closed in an emergency and opened from either side shall be installed in each such connection. Other connections through the boundary pillars shall not be made until both mines are about to be exhausted and abandoned. The authorized officer may waive any of the requirements of this paragraph when it is determined such waiver will not conflict with the regulations in 30 CFR part 57 and will promote maximum recovery of the ore.
(b) Free access for inspection of said connecting mine on lands privately owned or controlled shall be given at any reasonable time to the authorized officer.
(c) If an operator/lessee is operating on a lease through a mine on lands privately owned or controlled does not maintain the mine access in accordance with the safety regulations, operations on the leased lands may be stopped by order of the authorized officer.
§ 3594.5   Minerals soluble in water; brines; minerals taken in solution.
(a) In mining or prospecting deposits of sodium, potassium or other minerals soluble in water, all wells, shafts, prospecting holes and other openings shall be adequately protected with cement or other suitable materials against the coursing or entrance of water. The operator/lessee shall, when ordered by the authorized officer, backfill with rock or other suitable material to protect the roof from breakage when there is a danger of the entrance of water.
(b) On leased, license or permit lands containing brines, due precaution shall be exercised to prevent the deposit from becoming diluted or contaminated by the mixture of water or valueless solution.
(c) Where minerals are taken from the earth in solution, such extraction shall not be within 500 feet of the boundary line of lands contained in the approved mine plan without the written permission of the authorized officer.
(d) Any agreement necessary for allocation of brine production shall be made a part of the mine plan.
§ 3595.1   Surface openings.
(a) The operator/lessee shall substantially fill in, fence, protect or close all surface openings, subsidence holes, surface excavations or workings which are a hazard to people or animals. Such protective measures shall be maintained in a secure condition during the term of the lease, license or permit. Before abandonment of operations, all openings, including water discharge points, shall be closed to the satisfaction of the authorized officer.
(b) Reclamation or protection of surface areas no longer needed for operations will commence without delay. The authorized officer shall designate such areas where restoration or protective measures, or both shall be taken.
(c) Wells utilized for operations involving solution mining or brine extraction shall be abandoned in accordance with the approved mine plan.
§ 3595.2   Abandonment of underground workings.
No underground workings or part thereof shall be permanently abandoned and rendered inaccessible without the advance, written approval of the authorized officer.
§ 3596.1   Milling.
The operator/lessee shall conduct milling operations in accordance with the established requirements. The operator/lessee shall use due diligence in the reduction, concentration or separation of mineral substances by mechanical or chemical processes or other means so that the percentage of salts, concentrates, or other mineral substances recovered and waste generated shall be in accordance with the approved practices.
§ 3596.2   Disposal of waste.
The operator/lessee shall dispose of all wastes resulting from the mining, reduction, concentration or separation of mineral substances in accordance with the terms of the lease, approved mining plan, applicable Federal, State and local law and regulations and the directions of the authorized officer.
§ 3597.1   Books of account.
(a) Operators/lessees shall maintain records which show a correct account of all ore and rock mined, of all ore put through the processing plant, of all mineral products produced and of all ore and mineral products sold. The records shall show all relevant quality analyses of ore minded, processed or sold and the percentage of the mineral products recovered or lost.
(b) Production records shall be made available for examination by the authorized officer during regular business hours. For the purpose of production verification, the authorized office may request, and the operator/lessee shall submit a copy of any portion of the production records not submitted to the Minerals Management Service as part of the operator's/lessee's production reporting.
§ 3597.2   Audits.
(a) An audit of the operator's/lessee's accounts and books may be made or directed by the Minerals Management Service in accordance with the provisions of Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(b) An audit of the operator's/lessee's accounts and production records by the service may be requested by the authorized officer if, during the process of verification of production, it is determined that an irregularity exists between reported production and production calculated by the authorized officer. Such audits shall be requested when the irregularity cannot be resolved between the operator/lessee and the authorized officer.
§ 3598.1   Inspection of underground and surface conditions; surveying, estimating and study.
Operators/lessees shall provide means at all reasonable hours, either day or night, for the authorized officer to inspect or investigate the underground and surface conditions; to conduct surveys; to estimate the amount of ore or other methods of prospecting, exploration, testing, development, processing and handling; to determine the volumes, types, and composition of wastes generated; to determine the adequacy of measures for minimizing the amount of such wastes and the measures for treatment and disposal of such wastes; to determine reclamation procedures and progress; production records; environmental concerns; and to determine whether the operator/lessee is in compliance with established requirements.
§ 3598.2   Issuance of orders.
Orders and notices issued by the authorized officer shall be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the operator/lessee at the address furnished in the exploration or mining plan. The operator/lessee shall notify the authorized officer of any change of address or operator/lessee name.
§ 3598.3   Service of notices, instructions and orders.
The operator/lessee shall be considered to have received all notices and orders that are mailed by certified mail and a receipt received by the authorized officer. Verbal orders and notices may be given to officials at the mine but shall be confirmed in writing in accordance with § 3598.2 of this title.
§ 3598.4   Enforcement orders.
(a) If the authorized officer determines that an operator/lessee has failed to comply with established requirements, and such noncompliance does not threaten immediate, serious or irreparable damage to the environment, the mine or deposit being mined, or other valuable mineral deposits or other resources, the authorized officer shall serve a notice of noncompliance upon the operator and lessee by delivery in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested. Failure of the operator/lessee to take action in accordance with the notice of noncompliance shall be grounds for the authorized officer to issue an order to cease operations or initiate legal proceedings to cancel the lease under § 3509.4 of this title, or, for Indian leases, recommend to the Bureau of Indian Affairs that action be taken in accordance with 25 CFR part 211.
(b) A notice of noncompliance shall specify how the operator/lessee has failed to comply with established requirements, and shall specify the action which shall be taken to correct the noncompliance and the time limits within which such action shall be taken. The operator/lessee shall notify the authorized officer when noncompliance items have been corrected.
(c) If, in the judgment of the authorized officer, the failure to comply with the established requirements threatens immediate, serious or irreparable damage to the environment, the mine or the deposit being mined, or other valuable mineral deposits or other resources, the authorized officer may, either in writing or orally with written confirmation, order the cessation of operations without prior notice.
§ 3598.5   Appeals.
Orders or decisions issued under the regulations in this part may be appealed as provided in part 4 of this title. Orders issued under § 3598.4(c) of this title shall be effective during the pendency of any appeal.
§ 3599.1   Late payment or underpayment charges.
(a) The failure to make timely or proper payments of any monies due pursuant to leases, permits, and contracts subject to these regulations will result in the collection by the Minerals Management Service (MMS) of the amount past due plus a late payment charge. Exceptions to this late payment charge may be granted when estimated payments have already been made timely and otherwise in accordance with instructions provided by MMS to the payor. However, late payment charges assessed with respect to any Indian lease, permit, or contract shall be collected and paid to the Indian or tribe to which the overdue amount is owed.
(b) Late payment charges are assessed on any late payment or underpayment from the date that the payment was due until the date on which the payment is received in the appropriate MMS accounting office. Payments received after 4 p.m. local time on the date due will be acknowledged as received on the following workday.
(c) Late payment charges are calculated on the basis of a percentage assessment rate. In the absence of a specific lease, permit, license, or contract provision prescribing a different rate, this percentage assessment rate is prescribed by the Department of the Treasury as the “Treasury Current Value of Funds Rate.”
(d) This rate is available in the Treasury Fiscal Requirements Manual Bulletins that are published prior to the first day of each calendar quarter for application to overdue payments or underpayments in that new calendar quarter. The rate is also published in the Notices section of the Federal Register and indexed under “Fiscal Service/Notices/Funds Rate; Treasury Current Value.”
(e) Late payment charges apply to all underpayments and payments received after the date due. These charges include rentals; production, minimum, or advance royalties; assessments for liquidated damages; administrative fees and payments by purchaser of royalty taken-in-kind or any other payments, fees, or assessments that a lessee/operator/permittee/payor/or purchaser of royalty taken-in-kind is required to pay by a specified date. The failure to pay past due amounts, including late payment charges, will result in the initiation of other enforcement proceedings.
The information collection requirements contained in parts 3600, 3610 and 3620 have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. and assigned clearance number 1004-0103. The information is being collected to allow the authorized officer to determine if the applicant is qualified to purchase or have free use of mineral materials on the public lands. The obligation to respond is required to obtain a benefit.