Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 11, June 11, 2024
Section 20.6.7.25 - REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDERGROUND COPPER MINE FACILITIESA.Material characterization requirements: All waste rock removed from an underground mine and taken to the surface shall be characterized and managed pursuant to the copper mine rule. Any waste rock removed from an underground copper mine facility, any tailings or any other waste that is intended to be deposited in the mine shall be evaluated for its potential to generate acid or to release water contaminants that would cause an exceedance of applicable standards following placement in the underground mine. A plan for determining the potential of the material to release water contaminants, and the method for such evaluations, shall be submitted to the department for approval in a material characterization plan pursuant to Paragraph (1) of Section A of 20.6.7.21 NMAC.B.Deposition of material in an underground copper mine. A permittee of an underground copper mine facility shall not: (1) deposit any waste rock or tailings in an underground mine that may generate a leachate that may cause an exceedance of applicable standards as determined by Subsection A of this section;(2) deposit any other wastes in an underground mine unless deposition of the waste is expressly authorized by a discharge permit approved by the department.C.Operational requirements. A permittee authorized to deposit waste rock, tailings or other waste in an underground copper mine shall maintain records of the monthly volume of waste rock, tailings or waste placed in the mine, and include this information in the site monitoring reports submitted pursuant to 20.6.7.29 NMAC.20.6.7.25 NMAC - N, 12/1/13