[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 43, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 43CFR6304.11]

[Page 899]
 
                    TITLE 43--PUBLIC LANDS: INTERIOR
 
    CHAPTER II--BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 
PART 6300--Management of Designated Wilderness Areas--Table of Contents
 
Subpart 6304--Uses Addressed in Special Provisions of the Wilderness Act
 
Sec. 6304.11  What special provisions apply to operations under the mining laws?

    The general mining laws apply to valid existing mining claims and 
mill sites within BLM wilderness, except as provided in this section.
    (a) After the date on which the general mining laws cease to apply 
to a specific wilderness area--
    (1) You cannot locate a mining claim or establish any right to or 
interest in any mineral deposits discovered in that wilderness area; and
    (2) You cannot locate a mill site in that wilderness area.
    (b) If you hold a valid existing mining claim or mill site within a 
wilderness area--
    (1) You must conduct any mining operations following the applicable 
standards provided in--
    (i) The Wilderness Act;
    (ii) The legislation designating the wilderness;
    (iii) Your approved plan of operations;
    (iv) Subpart 3809 of this chapter; and
    (v) Subpart 3715 of this chapter;
    (2) You must minimize impairment of wilderness characteristics to 
the extent BLM determines practicable, consistent with the use of a 
valid claim or site for mineral activities; and
    (3) Your temporary structures used in mining operations are subject 
to the use and occupancy regulations in subpart 3715 of this chapter.
    (4) You must post a financial guarantee under subpart 3809 of this 
chapter in order to ensure completion of reclamation.
    (c) If you hold a valid mining claim, mill site, or tunnel site 
located in any BLM wilderness area before the general mining laws ceased 
to apply to that area, you may maintain your mining claim or site, so 
long as you comply with the general mining laws, the regulations in part 
3830 of this chapter, and the Act of Congress designating the 
wilderness.
    (d) As required in your approved plan of operations, when you 
complete mining operations in a wilderness area--
    (1) You must remove all structures, equipment, and other facilities 
and begin reclamation as soon as feasible after mining operations end. 
However, you must start reclamation no later than 18 months after mining 
operations end.
    (2) You must restore the surface as near as practicable to the 
appearance and contour of the surface before mining operations began, 
following the regulations in subpart 3809 of this chapter.
    (e)-(f) [Reserved]