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 July, 2009 — Nevada Standardized Reclamation Cost Estimator: The updated 2009 Cost Data File is now available from this website. The 2009 Cost Data File must be used for all reclamation cost estimates submitted after August 1, 2009.
March 2008 — The Nevada Standardized Reclamation Cost Estimator (SRCE): Version 1.1.2 Model File is now available for public use. Version 1.1.1 has been updated in accordance with guidance from the NDEP, BLM and Industry representatives. The only changes included in Version 1.1.2 are to some of the equipment productivity correction factors used in the model. No other changes have been made to the model in this version. The SRCE model may be downloaded from an external web-site at http://www.nvbond.org.
Note: The SRCE Cost Data File contains the updated labor, equipment, and material costs required for agency approval of reclamation cost estimates and should be used as a reference for those costs regardless of whether the SRCE model is utilized or not.
The Reclamation Branch regulates mining in Nevada under the authority of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 519A.010 - NRS 519A.290 and the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 519A.010 - NAC 519A.415. The branch issues a Reclamation Permit to an operator prior to construction of any exploration, mining, milling or other beneficiation process activity that proposes to create disturbance over 5 acres or remove in excess of 36,500 tons of material from the earth. Aggregate or sand pit operations excluded from obtaining a reclamation permit pursuant to NAC 519A.080.
About the permitting process — A valid reclamation permit requires that an acceptable surety be filed with the Division or a federal land management agency prior to engaging in the activities authorized by the permit. It takes approximately 180 days to obtain a reclamation permit. This time frame includes the public notice and 30 day public review and comment period. A reclamation permit is valid until all reclamation activities have been completed, provided the operator remains in compliance with the regulations. Fees associated with the reclamation permit include application and annual fees as specified in NAC 519A. NAC 519A.380 requires that the surety be reviewed at least every 3 years to determine if the amount is still adequate to execute the approved plan for reclamation, taking inflation into consideration.
In addition to basic ownership and location information, the following is required by the bureau-supplied reclamation permit application form: a complete plan for reclamation; the estimate of the cost of executing the plan for reclamation; a statement  that the applicant agrees to assume responsibility for the reclamation of any surface area affected by his exploration or mining operation; and a map depicting the area disturbed and proposed to be disturbed. A surety must be filed with the division or a federal land management agency to ensure that reclamation will be completed on privately owned and federal land, should an operator default on the property.
A surety may be a trust fund, bond, irrevocable letter of credit, insurance, corporate guarantee or a combination of these mechanisms deemed appropriate by the division in accordance with NAC 519A.350. Large companies may obtain a state corporate guarantee for 75% of the value of the bond. Pursuant to regulations, the Nevada Division of Minerals administers a bond pool that guarantees up to one million dollars of reclamation activities for small companies that have been refused help by commercial sources.
In accordance with NAC 519A.245, the reclamation program is retroactive for disturbances created after January 1, 1981. Land disturbances created before October 1, 1990, but no longer active as of that date, may not have to post a bond.
Issuance of a reclamation permit does not relieve the operator of the responsibility to secure the approval of any other State or Federal agency.
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