Montana Code Annotated
Part 3. Metal Mine Reclamation
82-4-331. Exploration license required -- employees included -- limitation

82-4-331. Exploration license required -- employees included -- limitation. (1) A person may not engage in exploration in the state without first obtaining an exploration license from the department. A license must be issued for a period of 1 year from the date of issue and is renewable from year to year on application. An application for renewal must be filed within 30 days preceding the expiration of the current license and be accompanied by payment of a $25 renewal fee. A license may not be renewed if the applicant for renewal is in violation of any provision of this part. A license is subject to suspension and revocation as provided by this part.
(2) Employees of persons holding a valid license under this part are included in and covered by the license.
(3) A person may not be issued an exploration license if:
(a) that person's failure, or the failure of any firm or business association of which that person was a principal or controlling member, to comply with the provisions of this part, the rules adopted under this part, or a permit or license issued under this part has resulted in either the receipt of bond proceeds by the department or the completion of reclamation by the person's surety or by the department, unless that person meets the conditions described in 82-4-360;
(b) that person has not paid a penalty for which the department has obtained a judgment pursuant to 82-4-361;
(c) that person has failed to post a reclamation bond required by 82-4-305; or
(d) that person has failed to comply with an abatement order issued pursuant to 82-4-362, unless the department has completed the abatement and the person has reimbursed the department for the cost of the abatement.
History: En. Sec. 7, Ch. 252, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 281, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 50-1207(part); amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 588, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 93, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 598, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 387, Ch. 418, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 488, L. 2001.

Structure Montana Code Annotated

Montana Code Annotated

Title 82. Minerals, Oil, and Gas

Chapter 4. Reclamation

Part 3. Metal Mine Reclamation

82-4-301. Legislative intent and findings

82-4-302. Purpose

82-4-303. Definitions

82-4-304. Exemption -- works performed prior to promulgation of rules

82-4-305. Exemption -- small miners -- written agreement

82-4-306. Confidentiality of application information

82-4-307. Review of existing files

82-4-308. Release by waiver

82-4-309. Exemption -- operations on federal lands

82-4-310. Exemption -- scale and type of activity

82-4-311. Disposition of fees, fines, penalties, and other uncleared money

82-4-312. Hard-rock mining reclamation debt service fund

82-4-313. Hard-rock mining reclamation bonds

82-4-314. Authorization for sale of hard-rock mining reclamation bonds

82-4-315. Hard-rock mining reclamation special revenue account

82-4-316. through 82-4-320 reserved

82-4-321. Administration

82-4-322. Investigations, research, and experiments

82-4-323. Interagency cooperation -- receipt and expenditure of funds

82-4-324. through 82-4-330 reserved

82-4-331. Exploration license required -- employees included -- limitation

82-4-332. Exploration license

82-4-333. Repealed

82-4-334. Exception -- geological phenomena

82-4-335. Operating permit -- limitation -- fees

82-4-336. Reclamation plan and specific reclamation requirements

82-4-337. Inspection -- issuance of operating permit -- modification, amendment, or revision

82-4-338. Performance bond

82-4-339. Annual report of activities by permittee -- fee -- notice of large-scale mineral developer status

82-4-340. Successor operator

82-4-341. Compliance -- reclamation by department

82-4-342. Amendment to operating permits

82-4-343. Operating permit -- rock products -- fees

82-4-344. through 82-4-348 reserved

82-4-349. Limitations of actions -- venue

82-4-350. Award of costs and attorney fees

82-4-351. Reasons for denial of permit

82-4-352. Reapplication with new reclamation plan

82-4-353. Administrative remedies -- notice -- appeals -- parties

82-4-354. Mandamus to compel enforcement

82-4-355. Action for damages to water supply -- replacement

82-4-356. Action in response to complaints related to use of explosives

82-4-357. Abatement of environmental emergencies

82-4-358. and 82-4-359 reserved

82-4-360. When activity prohibited -- exception

82-4-361. Violation -- penalties -- waiver

82-4-362. Suspension of permits -- hearing

82-4-363. through 82-4-366 reserved

82-4-367. Long-term or perpetual water treatment permanent trust fund

82-4-368. through 82-4-370 reserved

82-4-371. Reclamation of abandoned mine sites

82-4-372. Filing of lien for abandoned mine reclamation project

82-4-373. and 82-4-374 reserved

82-4-375. Engineer of record -- duties

82-4-376. Tailings storage facility -- design document -- fee

82-4-377. Independent review panel -- selection -- duties

82-4-378. Quality assurance during construction

82-4-379. Tailings operation, maintenance, and surveillance manual

82-4-380. Periodic review required

82-4-381. Annual inspections

82-4-382. through 82-4-389 reserved

82-4-390. Cyanide heap and vat leach open-pit gold and silver mining prohibited