Beginning April 1, 1997, new mining units may begin when both of the following occur:

Terms Used In Arizona Laws 27-976

  • Inspector: means the state mine inspector. See Arizona Laws 27-901
  • Mining unit: means an individual portion of a mining facility that encompasses one or more surface disturbances. See Arizona Laws 27-901
  • Reclamation: means measures that are taken on surface disturbances at exploration operations and mining units to achieve stability and safety consistent with post-mining land use objectives specified in the reclamation plan. See Arizona Laws 27-901

1. The state mine inspector approves the reclamation plan for the mining unit, or one hundred fifty days after the inspector receives a reclamation plan if the inspector does not notify the owner or operator that the plan submitted is incomplete or denied.

2. Financial assurance has been submitted to the inspector as required by article 5 of this chapter.