Minerals Program
>> Best Management Practices for Mining in Idaho - published November 16, 1992
The Minerals Program manages the state endowment lands mineral estate, which covers approximately three million acres. The program also manages the Idaho public trust lands mineral estate. The public trust lands consist of the beds of Idaho's navigable rivers and lakes. In addition, the program administers several regulatory programs covering dredge and placer mining, surface mining and abandoned mine lands.
QUESTIONS? Contact one of our statewide Area Offices by using our Interactive Map or visit our Area Offices web page at http://www.idl.idaho.gov/areas.htm.
Non-Regulatory Programs
Minerals Leasing Program
The State leases minerals to generate revenue for the owning endowment fund, such as Public Schools, or for the general fund when public trust lands are involved. Leases are issued for metals and other mineral commodities, oil and gas and geothermal resources on both land and navigable waters.
> For more information visit the Minerals Leasing web page
Minerals Leasing Bond Information and Instructions
The Minerals Leasing Bond Information and Instructions web page provides information on the four types of bonds accepted by the Idaho Department of Lands. All bonds must be submitted on an Idaho Department of Lands issued bond form with accompanying documents attached.
> For more information visit the Minerals Leasing Bond Information and Instructions web page
Oil & Gas
>> Visit the Idaho Oil & Gas Conservation Commission web page
>> Visit the Minerals Leasing web page
Exploration Locations
Exploration is the activity performed to locate mineral bodies and to determine their mineability and merchantability [Idaho Code § 47-1503(8)]. All state lands, endowment lands and navigable waters, are open for casual exploration unless they have been withdrawn [Idaho Code § 47-702(1)].
— Navigable Rivers with Restricted River Entry
Under the authorities of Idaho Code § 47-702(2), 47-1323, and 58-104(9) certain segments of navigable rivers have been withdrawn from mineral entry and exploration. Please refer to the Minerals Exploration Locations web page (link below) for a PDF document listing Navigable Rivers with Restricted River Entry.>> For more information visit the Minerals Exploration Locations web page.
Gemstone Guide
Idaho is truly the Gem State. Since the origin of the earth, geologic processes combined to make the rocks of Idaho a mineral collector's storehouse. This, coupled with the beautiful forests and streams, makes Idaho the place where the rock collector's dreams come true.
> For more information visit the Gemstone Guide web page
Minerals Regulatory Programs
Abandoned Mine Program
The Idaho Abandoned Mine Reclamation Act (Act) was passed during the 1994 session in anticipation of federal mining law reform. This anticipated reform would have resulted in the states receiving money for abandoned mine reclamation from the federal government. The Act created a place for money to go, and it set certain guidelines for how the money would be spent. Federal Mining Law reform, however, never occurred, and Idaho’s Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund (Fund) remained empty.
> For more information, visit the Abandoned Mine Program web page
Dredge and Placer Mining
Placer and dredge mining is the extraction of minerals from an alluvial or glacial deposit, as of sand and gravel, containing particles of gold or other valuable minerals. A placer deposit can be in a natural watercourse or an ancient river channel high above a stream. The Idaho Placer and Dredge Mining Protection Act was passed as an initiative vote in 1954. Over the years several changes have been made, but the basic components of the 1954 Act still stand:
> For more information visit the Dredge and Placer Mining web page
Interagency Programs
> Visit the Interagency Programs web page for links to state and federal agencies
Mining Best Management Practices
> Visit the Best Management Practices for Mining in Idaho web page
Reclamation Projects
Surface Mining
Surface Mining is the extraction of minerals or mineral materials from the ground by utilizing surface mining or strip mining methods. In Idaho, minerals mined by this method include decorative stone, sand and gravel, phosphate, molybdenum, gold, silver and others. The Surface Mining Act, passed in 1971, was designed to require reclamation of affected lands and return them to a productive condition.
> For more information, visit the Surface Mining web page
NOTE: Documents on this page are available in either WORD or PDF format.
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