Section 4-2 - Environmental protection performance standards applicable to underground mining operations (a) General performance standards: - (i) All surface land affected in conjunction with an underground mining operation will be subject to the appropriate backfilling, grading, and contouring requirements as described in Chapter III, Section 2.(b), depending on the physical land description in the permit area and the nature of the surface disturbance.
- (ii) All shafts and adits to underground mine workings must be properly sealed at closure.
- (iii) Portal entries into adits must be backfilled, graded and contoured so as to blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain.
- (iv) All substantial surface disturbances due to subsidence into underground workings within five years after completion of mining shall be backfilled, graded, contoured and revegetated so as to blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain. If conditions prevent such reclamation, the Administrator, after considering the conditions, and after consultation with the Advisory Board, will determine the reclamation requirements.
- (v) The applicable performance standards contained in the Act and Chapter III shall apply to underground mining operations.