Mining plan

Before conducting any mining or production operations, the operator shall submit to the state geologist for approval a mining plan which shall show in detail the proposed development or mining operations to be conducted. Mining plans shall be consistent with and responsive to the requirements of not only this chapter but also statutes and rules for the protection of nonmineral resources, and for the reclamation of the surface of the lands affected by the operations. No operations shall be conducted except under an approved plan. Those portions of a mining plan which the director finds to contain information which is proprietary to a specific company's mining methods shall be retained at that company's office located nearest the mining site, and shall be approved by the director and open to inspection by the director and the industrial commission at all times. All portions of the mining plan which provide for the protection of natural resources, other than the mineral being mined, and for the reclamation of the surface shall be filed in the office of the state geologist.