An operator shall have the right to substitute and reclaim an area mined in the past for an area presently being mined, the substitution being subject to approval by the Department. Such substitutions may be made on an acre-for-acre basis if the estimated cost of reclamation is comparable. Other ratios may be agreed upon depending on the relative ease of reclamation or upon the value or desirability of reclaiming such substituted land.
S.C. Code Regs. § 89-160