§ 760. Mine operators--Duties
Oklahoma Statutes AnnotatedTitle 45. Mines and Mining
45 Okl.St.Ann. § 760
§ 760. Mine operators--Duties
Each permit issued relating to underground coal mining shall require the operator to:
1. Adopt measures consistent with known technology in order to prevent subsidence causing material damage to the extent technologically and economically feasible. The operator shall maximize mine stability and maintain the value and reasonably foreseeable use of surface lands, except in those instances when the mining technology used requires planned subsidence in a predictable and controlled manner. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit the standard method of room and pillar mining;
4. Stabilize, with respect to surface disposal of mine wastes, tailings, coal processing wastes and other wastes in areas other than the mine workings or excavations, all waste piles created by the permittee from current operations through construction in compacted layers including the use of incombustible and impervious materials if necessary. The operator shall assure that the leachate will not degrade below water quality standards established pursuant to applicable federal and state law surface or ground waters. The operator shall assure that the final contour of the waste accumulation will be compatible with natural surroundings and that the site is stabilized and revegetated according to the provisions of this section;
5. Design, locate, construct, operate, maintain, enlarge, modify and remove or abandon all existing and new coal mine waste piles consisting of mine wastes, tailings, coal-processing wastes, or other liquid and solid wastes, and used either temporarily or permanently as dams or embankments as required by the Department;
(1) preventing or removing water from contact with toxic producing deposits,
(2) treating drainage to reduce toxic content which adversely affects downstream water upon being released to watercourses, and
(3) casing, sealing or otherwise managing boreholes, shafts and wells to keep acid or other toxic drainage from entering ground and surface waters, and
b. conducting surface coal mining operations so as to prevent, to the extent possible using the best technology currently available, additional contributions of suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the permit area. In no event shall such contributions be in excess of requirements set by applicable state or federal law. The operator shall avoid channel deepening or enlargement in operations requiring the discharge of water from mines;
10. Operate, with respect to other surface impacts not specified in this section, including the construction of new roads or the improvement or use of existing roads to gain access to the site of such activities and for haulage, repair areas, storage areas, processing areas, shipping areas and other areas upon which are sited structures, facilities or other property or materials on the surface, resulting from or incident to such activities, in accordance with the standards established under this title for such effects which result from surface coal mining operations. The Department shall make such modifications in the requirements imposed by this paragraph as are necessary to accommodate the distinct difference between surface and underground coal mining;
Credits
Laws 1978, c. 10, § 20, emerg. eff. Feb. 2, 1978.
45 Okl. St. Ann. § 760, OK ST T. 45 § 760
Current with emergency effective legislation through Chapter 257 of the Second Regular Session of the 59th Legislature (2024). Some sections may be more current, see credits for details.
End of Document |