BMRR — Closure Branch Home Page

The Regulation Branch regulates mining in Nevada under the authority of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS)445A.300-NRS 445A.730 and the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 445A.350-NAC 445A.447. These regulations apply to all mining operations, with the exception of those facilities as provided for within NAC 445A.387, within the State of Nevada, regardless of land ownership. Water Pollution Control Permits, as issued, renewed, or subsequently modified, remain in effect throughout the life of the mine until permanent closure is achieved and approved by the Bureau. Closure-related activities (e.g., permitting and monitoring) are coordinated by the Mining Closure Branch. Branch staff will evaluate chemical data to confirm stabilization of all applicable mine components (or sources) that must be considered for closure.

The closure and stabilization requirements pertain to process and non-process components (solid and liquid process mine wastes) such as heap leach pads, tailings impoundments, pits, waste rock dumps, ore stockpiles, and any other associated mine components that, if not properly managed during operation and closure, could potentially lead to the degradation of waters of the State. A mining facility operator/permittee is required to submit a Tentative Permanent Closure Plan at the time of application for a Water Pollution Control Permit.

     A Final Permanent Closure Plan must be submitted to the Bureau two years prior to the anticipated closure of a mine site. This plan must provide closure goals and a detailed methodology of activities necessary to achieve a level of stabilization of all known and potential contaminants at the site. The Final Permanent Closure Plan must include a detailed description of all proposed monitoring that will be conducted to demonstrate how the closure goals are being met.

Following the completion of all closure related activities, a Final Closure Report must be submitted to the Bureau summarizing all completed closure related activities. This document should contain all information necessary for the operator to demonstrate to this Bureau that the completed closure activities, per process and non-process component, will ensure that waters of the State will not be degraded. This report must include a proposal for post-closure monitoring for an initial period of time not less than five (5) years in order to provide additional supporting data that stabilization has truly been achieved.

The Request for Final Closure is made following the completion of the post-closure monitoring period. The request should contain all post-closure monitoring information and clearly demonstrate stabilization. Upon the successful demonstration of stabilization, the Bureau would consider the mine site to be in final closure, retire the Water Pollution Control Permit, and eliminate all NAC445A fee requirements.

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