HB0010

Amends Wyoming mining regulations to modify bonding amounts, notice and reporting requirements for limited mining operations, restrict overburden surface mining after July 1, 2025, and establish procedures for extending and releasing bonds for limited mining operations.

• Expands the definition of minerals eligible for limited mining operations to include all noncoal minerals (except those regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Article 20 of Chapter 35), and clarifies that operations on 15 acres or less of affected land remain exempt from full permitting requirements. (W.S. 35-11-401(e)(vi), Sec. 1)
• Increases bonding requirements for sand, gravel, scoria, dolomite, shale, ballast, and feldspar operations from $2,000 per acre to $5,000 per acre for operations commencing on or after July 1, 2025, and increases quarry bonding from $3,000 to $7,000 per acre for operations commencing on or after that date. (W.S. 35-11-401(e)(vi)(B), Sec. 1)
• Requires operators to notify the land quality division and inspector of mines at least 30 days before commencing operations, and to provide notice to surface owners within one mile of the operation, with confirmation of commencement within 30 days of starting. (W.S. 35-11-401(e)(vi), Sec. 1)
• Extends the timeline for the administrator to require additional bonding from 90 days to 150 days after operations commence, with operators required to post additional bonds within 45 days instead of 30 days of notification. (W.S. 35-11-401(e)(vi)(B)(VI), Sec. 1)
• Prohibits operators from conducting multiple limited mining operations for the same mineral in adjacent areas or within a six-mile radius, with limited exception for operations where prior limited mining has been reclaimed and bonded released. (W.S. 35-11-401(e)(vi)(J), Sec. 1)
• Terminates authorization for new overburden surface mining operations exceeding 35,000 cubic yards of overburden and 10 acres of affected land per year after July 1, 2025, while allowing previously approved operations to continue. (W.S. 35-11-401(j), Sec. 1)
• Allows limited mining operations to continue for five-year periods with renewal notifications submitted with annual reports, and requires operators to provide evidence of continued operations or intent to operate in renewal requests.