The Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation (BMRR), in cooperation with other state, federal and local agencies, regulates mining activities in Nevada under regulations adopted in 1989. The Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 445A.350-NAC 445A.447 and (NAC) 519A.010 - NAC 519A.415 were developed to implement the requirements of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 445A.300-NRS 445A.730 and (NRS) 519A.010 - NRS 519A.290. BMRR is composed of three distinct technical branches; regulation, closure, and reclamation. It is the mission of BMRR to ensure that Nevada's waters are not degraded by mining operations and that the lands disturbed by mining operations are reclaimed to safe and stable conditions to ensure a productive post-mining land use.


February 2009 — Demo: “How to Pay for a Mining Reclamation Fee”

January 2009 — Guidance for Mine-Site Petroleum-Contaminated Soil (PCS) Management Plans: This new guidance document supersedes the April 1995 guidance entitled, "Mining Sites, Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soil Definitions and Guidelines." It represents a collaborative effort between several NDEP bureaus, the Nevada Mining Association, and other industry representatives. All operators who currently hold a mine-site hydrocarbon permit (General and/or Individual) must submit by July 1, 2009 a proposed PCS Management Plan for review and approval, or state that all PCS will be disposed at an authorized off-site facility.

The new guidance was originally issued in October 2008. Informational kickoff meetings were held in late October 2008 in Winnemucca and Elko. The guidance was re-issued in late January 2009 with the following two revisions to reflect existing regulatory requirements better: 1) Consultants preparing PCS Plans must be Nevada-Certified Environmental Managers; and 2) Changes regarding annual interim covers and final covers for mine-site PCS disposal locations.

July 2008 — Nevada Standardized Reclamation Cost Estimator: The updated 2008 Cost Data File is now available from this website. The 2008 Cost Data File must be used for all reclamation cost estimates submitted after August 1, 2008.

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.

November 2006 — Water Pollution Control Permit Fee Schedule: 2 page
This 9/06 fees schedule is for water pollution control permits as set forth in NAC 445A.232; Fees are applicable to mining operations only.

2005 Program Updates

Regulation Branch
Reclamation Branch
Closure Branch

Statues & Regulations
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The Regulation Branch has responsibility for protecting waters of the State under the water pollution control regulations. The branch consists of the permitting and inspection sections. The permitting section issues Water Pollution Control Permits to ensure that the quality of Nevada's water resources are not impacted by mining activity. The inspection section conducts regular inspections during the life of a mining facility to confirm that operations are in compliance with permit requirements.

The Closure Branch also has the responsibility of protecting waters of the state under the water pollution control regulations. This branch works with facilities at the cessation of operations to ensure that all components are left chemically stable for the long term. The closure branch issues water pollution control permits and conducts inspections to ensure that the mine site, in the closure and post-closure period, will not degrade waters of the state.

The Reclamation Branch regulates exploration and mining operations in Nevada on both private and public lands. The branch issues permits to exploration and mining operations to reclaim the disturbance created to a safe and stable condition to ensure a productive post-mining land use. An operator must obtain a reclamation permit prior to construction of any exploration, mining or milling 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 are excluded from obtaining a reclamation permit. In addition to obtaining a reclamation permit, an operator must file a surety with the Division or federal land manager to ensure that reclamation will be completed, should an operator default on the project.

In summary, BMRR works with industry and the public to ensure that mining operations in the state, from initial design through reclamation, do not negatively impact the environment and that the land will be returned to a productive post-mining use.

Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Mining
901 South Stewart Street, Suite 4001
Carson City, Nevada 89701-5249

Phone (775) 687-9400
Fax (775) 684-5259

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