The IDL regulates surface mining and the surface effects of underground mining in the state of Idaho. Surface mining is the extraction of minerals from the ground by removing the soil and rock over the mineral deposits. Underground mining is the extraction of minerals from beneath the surface of the ground by means of an adit, shaft, tunnel, decline, portal, bore hole, drill hole for solution mining, or such other means of access beneath the surface of the ground, other than a pit.
The Idaho Mined Land Reclamation Act, passed in 1971, requires reclamation of affected lands to return them to a productive condition.
Read more about IDL procedures on the Agency Guidance Documents page.
Which Application should I use for my Reclamation Plan?
- Section 069 is defined as mined land consisting of quarries, decorative stone, building stone, and aggregate materials including sand, gravel, and crushed rock. Certain complex Section 069 Applications may be subject to Section 070 Application requirements.
- Section 070 is defined as mined land consisting of hardrock, underground, phosphate mines, and certain complex Section 069 mines.
Forms
- Application for Reclamation Plan Approval
- Notice of Surface Mining Operations to be Conducted by a City, County, Highway District or Federal Agency
- Financial Assurance Information and Instructions packet
- BAF Informational Packet– updated June 2020
- Assignment of Reclamation Plan
- Documentation of Completed Reclamation Work Request for Financial Assurance Release
Statutes and Rules
Statutes:
- Idaho Code – Title 47, Chapter 15, Idaho Mined Land Reclamation Act
- Idaho Code – Title 47, Chapter 18, Financial Assurance
Rules:
- IDAPA 20.03.02 – Rules Governing Mined Land Reclamation
- IDAPA 20.03.03 – Rules Governing Administration of the Reclamation Fund
IDAPA 20.03.02 Rules Governing Mined Land Reclamation, is currently going through the rulemaking process. For more information, please visit the IDL Rulemaking Page for this rule.
IDAPA 20.03.03 Rules Governing Administration of the Reclamation Fund, recently went through the rulemaking process. The new rules will take effect on July 1, 2024. For more information, please visit the IDL Rulemaking Page for this rule.
Mining Claims
The IDL does not regulate patented and unpatented mining claims. Mining claims are federally managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). If you have questions about purchasing a claim or about a claim you own or manage, please go to the Idaho BLM Mining Claims website.
Contact
Additional Resources
Department Contact – Boise Staff Office
Andy Mork, PG, Program Manager – Regulatory Minerals
Resource Protection and Assistance Bureau
(208) 334-0247
amork@idl.idaho.gov
For questions specific to a location, please contact the nearest Supervisory Area