S.D. Admin. R. 74:29:11:03

Current through Register Vol. 51, page 67, December 16, 2024

Section 74:29:11:03 - Application content requirements - Mine operations plan

All applications for an in situ leach mine permit shall include, at a minimum, the information and materials related to mine plans required in SDCL 45-6B-5 to 45-6B-7, inclusive, and §§ 74:29:02:04; 74:29:02:11; and 74:29:07:02 to 74:29:07:17, inclusive; and the following information:

(1) In addition to the requirements of §§ 74:29:02:04; 74:29:02:09; and 74:29:02:12, contour (topographic) maps that accurately locate and identify the permit area and show the location of any public highways, tribal reservation boundaries, dwellings, utilities, and easements within the permit area and adjacent lands in relation to all proposed affected lands and proposed activities associated with the in situ leach mine, including all processing facilities, chemical storage areas, production areas, and roads. The map shall also clearly illustrate the location of monitoring wells;

(2) Discussion and illustration of the estimated mining schedule, including:

(a) A list of the proposed wellfields;

(b) A map showing the proposed sequence for mining of the wellfields;

(c) An estimated time schedule for mining each wellfield; and

(d) The capacity of the water/wastewater treatment systems and correlation of the capacity with the mining and restoration schedules;

(3) Conceptual plans and specifications for in situ leach mine facilities in accordance with § 74:29:11:21;

(4) A leakage response plan detailing actions that will be taken in response to the detection of leakage from ponds and surface impoundments in accordance with subdivision 74:29:11:23(6)(f), and from pipeline systems in accordance with subdivision 74:29:11:24(4);

(5) A plan for the periodic inspection and maintenance of mine facilities, to include pipelines and lined impoundments. The plan shall include criteria for repair or replacement of equipment or infrastructure to keep mine facilities in good repair and order, and a quarterly report to include inspection logs, problems noted, and repair or replacement work completed;

(6) The composition of all known and anticipated wastes and procedures for their disposal;

(7) Procedures for ensuring that all radioactive, toxic, acid-forming, or other materials constituting a fire, health, safety, or environmental hazard encountered during or created by the mining process are promptly treated, confined, or disposed of in a manner designed to prevent pollution of surface water or ground water, degradation of soils or vegetation, or a threat to human or animal health and safety, and according to state law and rule;

(8) A site monitoring plan to include:

(a) Ground water quality for both production zones and nonproduction zones;

(b) Surface water quality and quantity, including discharge points, streams and lakes, and general direction of flow off the site;

(c) Requirements for water quality sampling and analysis to include:

(i) A description of, or reference for, the procedures and methods used for sample collection, preservation, quality control, and detection levels;

(ii) The name, address, and telephone number of the laboratory performing the analyses, and the laboratory identification number; and

(iii) Signatures of the laboratory manager or technician performing the analyses;

(d) Air quality, including process facilities and other enclosed facilities;

(e) Soils;

(f) Wildlife and aquatics;

(g) Subsidence;

(h) Vegetation; and

(i) Environmental radiological monitoring of surface water, air, soils, and vegetation;

(9) A description of the location within the permit area where underground injection is proposed;

(10) A description of the proposed method of operation, including:

(a) Injection rate, with the average and maximum daily rate and the volume of fluid to be injected;

(b) Injection pressures, with average and maximum injection pressures;

(c) A description of how a negative pressure gradient will be maintained within the production zone;

(d) Proposed well stimulation program;

(e) Type of mining solution to be used;

(f) Proposed injection procedure; and

(g) Expected changes in pressure, native ground water displacement, and direction of movement of mining solution;

(11) The following information concerning the production zone shall be determined:

(a) If the receiving strata is naturally a water-bearing formation:

(i) Fluid pressure;

(ii) Fracture pressure;

(iii) Physical and chemical characteristics of the receiving strata fluids; and

(iv) Compatibility of injected fluids with formation fluids;

(b) If the receiving strata is not a water-bearing formation, the fracture pressure in the production zone;

(12) The procedures to ensure that the installation of recovery, injection, and monitor wells will not result in hydraulic communication between the production zone and overlying or underlying stratigraphic horizons;

(13) The procedures used to verify that the injection and production wells are in communication with monitor wells completed in the receiving strata and employed for the purpose of detecting excursions;

(14) Descriptions of the completion details for all injection and production wells in accordance with §§ 74:29:11:11 to 74:29:11:13, inclusive, and for monitor wells in accordance with §§ 74:29:11:11, 74:29:11:12, and 74:29:11:14;

(15) A schedule for and description of the procedures to demonstrate and maintain mechanical integrity of all injection wells in accordance with § 74:29:11:16;

(16) A corrective action plan in accordance with § 74:29:11:19 for wells that are improperly sealed, completed, or abandoned, consisting of the steps or modifications necessary to prevent movement of fluid into unauthorized zones;

(17) A description of the proposed mining solution and the chemical reactions that may occur during mining as a result of injection of the mining solution;

(18) A subsidence analysis, using established geotechnical principles, that estimates, based upon the proposed mining operation, the effect of subsidence upon the land surface and overlying aquifers;

(19) A spill contingency plan to include reporting, response, assessment, and remedial actions;

(20) A description of measures employed to prevent an excursion, and in the event of an excursion, the plans to report or to verify the excursion, and plans for remedial action in accordance with §§ 74:29:11:35 to 74:29:11:40, inclusive;

(21) An assessment of impacts that may reasonably be expected as a result of the mining operation to water resources and water rights inside the permit area and on adjacent lands, and the steps that will be taken to mitigate these impacts;

(22) A well maintenance plan to ensure:

(a) Wells are sufficiently covered to protect against entrance of undesirable material into the well;

(b) The wells are marked and can be clearly seen;

(c) The area surrounding each well is kept clear of brush or debris; and

(d) Monitoring equipment is appropriately serviced and maintained so monitoring requirements can be met;

(23) To the extent that existing information or data is available, a determination of whether existing water wells, former producing wells, former injection wells, former monitor wells, abandoned wells, and exploration holes in the proposed production area have been appropriately plugged, and if not, a plan for replugging these wells; and

(24) Contingency plans to cope with all shut-ins or well failures so as to prevent the migration of mining solutions into underground sources of drinking water.

S.D. Admin. R. 74:29:11:03

33 SDR 160, effective 4/17/2007; 34 SDR 323. effective 7/2/2008.

General Authority: SDCL 34-21-15, 45-6B-81.

Law Implemented: SDCL 34-21-13, 45-6B-5 to 45-6B-7, inclusive.