Limited Mining Operations

Guidelines

This tab contains the Land Quality Division's "Guidelines" for coal and non-coal operations.  The following is a break down of which Guidelines apply to what type of operations (coal, non-coal or both):

  • Coal Operations: Guidelines 6A, 6AR, 9, 13, 14, 18, 20-23 and 25;
  • Non-coal Operations: Guidelines 2, 4, 6, 12A, 16 and 19; and 
  • Both Coal and Non-coal Operations: Guidelines 1, 1A, 3, 5, 8, 10-12, 15, 17 and 24.

Guidelines are based upon applicable provisions of the Environmental Quality Act, LQD Regulations and they contain statements of LQD policy and preferred procedures.  Except for specifically referenced statutory provisions and regulations guidelines are not subject to rulemaking procedures and are therefore not to be interpreted as regulatory requirements.  The documents below are guidelines only and should not be interpreted by permittees, interested parties, DEQ/LQD staff or other local, state or Federal governmental agencies as mandatory.

**  Please note that Guideline 1 is currently under revision but the information regarding overburden remains applicable until the completion of Guideline 1B.  Sections regarding topsoil and subsoil have been superseded by Guideline 1A and the information contained in Guideline 1 should be disregarded for those sections.  Guideline 1A may be viewed below.  

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MOUs

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Standard Operating Procedures

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Enforcement Actions

Rules and Regulations

All official Wyoming State Rules and Regulations are kept at the Wyoming Secretary of State's Office. Click here to view all current Rules and Regulations. 

 

Limited Mining Operations

This page contains information and forms pertaining to Limited Mining Operations (LMOs).  LMO’s are mining operations, “whether commercial or noncommercial, for the removal of sand, gravel, scoria, limestone, dolomite, shale, ballast or feldspar from an area of fifteen (15) acres or less of affected land, excluding roads used to access the mining operation…” (W.S. 35-11-401(e)(vi)).   

Click on the tabs on the right for forms, various guidance documents, annual reports, and external links to information on specific topics related to LMOs.

Annual Reports

This tab contains downloadable forms and information that pertain to submitting annual reports for LMOs that are required by the LQD. 

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Forms

This tab contains a variety of downloadable LQD forms pertaining to LMOs in Wyoming. 

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Guidance and Documents

This tab contains a variety of forms and information pertaining to LMO Guidance procedures for the LQD.

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Related Links

Below are some links to external web pages that contain information related to applying and operating Limited Mining Operations in Wyoming.  

Sage Grouse

WY Statutes for Limited Mining Operations - This link takes the user to the WY Legislative web page for electronic versions of statutes.  More specifically, the link is to the section of the Environmental Quality Act related to the Land Quality Division. 

Important Note:

Please note that the applicant must also obtain a WDEQ Air Quality Division (AQD) construction permit or a permit waiver before commencing any mining related disturbance or activity.  Please contact AQD for further information regarding Air Quality permit or waiver process requirements. Also, note that the applicant must contact the WDEQ Water Quality Division (WQD) to obtain authorization for storm water discharge before commencing any mining related disturbance or activity.  Additionally, revised legislation concerning LMOs in Wyoming (Enrolled Act No. 19 Senate) went into effect on July 1, 2013.  The revised legislation can be viewed by clicking on the “Related Links” above.