Virginia Administrative Code › Title 4 - CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES › Agency 25 - DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY › Chapter 31 - RECLAMATION REGULATIONS FOR MINERAL MINING › Part II - Permit Standards › Article 1 - Permits › Section 4VAC25-31-130 - Mineral mining plans

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
Mineral mining plans shall be attached to the application
						and consist of the following:
1. The
					 operation plan shall include a description of the proposed method of mining and
					 processing; the location of top soil storage areas; overburden, refuse, and
					 waste disposal areas; stockpiles, equipment storage, and maintenance areas; cut
					 and fill slopes; and roadways. The operation plan shall address plans for the
					 storage and disposal of scrap metal, scrap tires, used lubricants, coolants,
					 and other equipment service products, batteries, process chemicals, trash,
					 debris, and other hazardous materials. The operation plan shall also include
					 all related design and construction data. The method of operation shall provide
					 for the conducting of reclamation simultaneously where practicable with the
					 mining operation. For the impoundments that meet the criteria of §
					 45.2-1301 A of the Code of Virginia, plans shall be provided as required under
					 4VAC-25-31 -180 and
					 4VAC25-31-500.
2. The drainage plan shall consist of a
					 description of the drainage system to be constructed before, during, and after
					 mining; a map or overlay showing the natural drainage system; and all sediment
					 and drainage control structures to be installed along with all related design
					 and construction data.
3. The
					 reclamation plan shall include a statement of the planned land use to which the
					 disturbed land will be returned through reclamation, the proposed actions to
					 assure suitable reclamation, and a time schedule for reclamation. The method of
					 grading; removal of metal, lumber, and debris, including processing equipment;
					 buildings; and other equipment relative to the mining operation and
					 revegetation of the disturbed area shall be specified. Reclamation plans for
					 underground mines shall include plans for closing or securing all entrances to
					 underground workings.
4. Adequate
					 maps, plans and cross sections, and construction specifications shall be
					 submitted to demonstrate compliance with the performance standards of Part IV
					 (4VAC25-31-330
					 et seq.) of this chapter and Chapter 12 (§ 45.2-1200 et seq.) of Title
					 45.2 of the Code of Virginia. Designs, unless otherwise specified, shall be
					 prepared by a qualified person, using accepted engineering design standards and
					 specifications.
5. A copy of the
					 Virginia Department of Transportation land use permit for roads that connect to
					 public roads.
6. If mining below
					 the water table is to take place, the following conditions apply:
a. The application shall contain an
					 assessment of the potential for impact on the overall hydrologic balance from
					 the proposed operations to be conducted within the permitted area for review
					 and approval.
b. A plan for the
					 minimization of adverse effects on water quality or quantity shall be prepared
					 based on the assessment in subdivision 6 a of this section and included in the
					 application.
c. Permanent lakes or
					 ponds created by mining shall be equal to or greater than four feet deep or
					 otherwise constructed in a manner acceptable to the director.