43 C.F.R. Subpart 3594—Mining Methods
Title 43 - Public Lands: Interior
(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. 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. (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. 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. (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.
Title 43: Public Lands: Interior
PART 3590—SOLID MINERALS (OTHER THAN COAL) EXPLORATION AND MINING OPERATIONS
Subpart 3594—Mining Methods
§ 3594.1 Ultimate maximum recovery.
§ 3594.2 Support pillars.
§ 3594.3 Boundary pillars and isolated blocks.
§ 3594.4 Development on leased lands through adjoining mines as part of a mining unit.
§ 3594.5 Minerals soluble in water; brines; minerals taken in solution.
