DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
BUREAU OF MINING REGULATION and RECLAMATION
Preserve and enhance Nevada’s
environment to protect public health,
sustain healthy ecosystems and
contribute to a vibrant economy.
Administrator: Greg Lovato, P.E.
Bureau Chief: Joe Sawyer, P.E.
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DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
BUREAU OF MINING REGULATION and RECLAMATION
Administrator: Greg Lovato, P.E.
Bureau Chief: Joe Sawyer, P.E.
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Protect Waters of the State
Applies to operations active after 1989
State only program
Coordination with BLM and US Forest Service
22 staff + BLM Liaison
Fee Based
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DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
BUREAU OF MINING REGULATION and RECLAMATION
Administrator: Greg Lovato, P.E.
Bureau Chief: Joe Sawyer, P.E.
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124 permitted exploration projects
83 permitted operating mines
44 permitted - not yet built
32 mines in closure/23 in temporary closure
$2,733,000 average annual revenue
$2,390,000 average annual expenditure
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MINING – PERMITTING AND INSPECTION PROGRAMS
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Administrator: Greg Lovato, P.E.
Bureau Chief: Joe Sawyer, P.E.
Water Pollution Control
Reclamation Bonding
Closure
Public Notice and Appeal Process
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MINING – WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
Site characterization
Facility design
Minimum design criteria
Construction quality assurance and quality
control
• As-built review and approval
• Facility operation
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Administrator: Greg Lovato, P.E.
Bureau Chief: Joe Sawyer, P.E.
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MINING – WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
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Administrator: Greg Lovato, P.E.
Bureau Chief: Joe Sawyer, P.E.
Facility monitoring
Quarterly reporting
Spill reporting, management and remediation
Enforcement
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MINING – RECLAMATION BONDING
Administrator: Greg Lovato, P.E.
Bureau Chief: Joe Sawyer, P.E.
• Productive post-mining land use
• Activities less than 5 acres or 36,500 tons
of material per year are exempt
• Exploration and operations
• Financial assurance required prior to
initiation of site activities
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MINING – RECLAMATION BONDING – COST ESTIMATION
• Standardized Reclamation Cost Estimator
• Process Fluids Cost Estimator
Administrator: Greg Lovato, P.E.
Bureau Chief: Joe Sawyer, P.E.
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NEVADA MINING FINANCIAL ASSURANCE
In millions $, as of January 1 of each Year
TRENDS
• Reduction in Corporate Guarantee
• Reliance on Surety bonds
Administrator: Greg Lovato, P.E.
Bureau Chief: Joe Sawyer, P.E.
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MINING – CLOSURE
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Administrator: Greg Lovato, P.E.
Bureau Chief: Joe Sawyer, P.E.
Phased approach to fluids management
Closure Planning begins at start of project
Long term water management
Minimize and prevent water infiltration
Preference for passive systems
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MINING – CURRENT PROGRAM ISSUES
Administrator: Greg Lovato, P.E.
Bureau Chief: Joe Sawyer, P.E.
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Electronic records system
Mine impacted water management
Pit lake data collection and modeling
Earlier and more rigorous closure planning
Federal rulemaking – CERCLA 108(b)
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