Nonmetallic Minerals

Mining metals and metallic ores are regulated under Part 631 or Part 632 . With the exception of coastal sand dune sand, non-metallics are not regulated by the Office of Oil, Gas, and Minerals.

Sand and Gravel
If the location is more than two miles from a great lakes shoreline and is not in a protected dune area, the Geological Survey does not regulate it, but other State and local regulations may apply (see below).
Under Part 631. Sand, gravel, peat, marl, and clay are specifically excluded by section 324.63101 Definitions. As used in this part: (g) "Mineral" means any substance to be excavated from the natural deposits on or in the earth for commercial, industrial, or construction purposes, including gypsum, limestone, dolostone, sandstone, shale, metallic mineral, or other solid materials. Mineral does not include clay, gravel, marl, peat, inland sand or sand mined for commercial or industrial purposes, from sand dune areas regulated under Part 637 , or coal regulated under part Part 635 .

Minerals Exploration
The exploration for minerals by drilling test wells is regulated under Part 625 - Mineral Wells, as "Test Wells" . For further information check our Mineral Wells page.

Other Local and State Regulations That May Apply

LOCAL:

Gravel mining and sand mining (sometimes called gravel pits and rock quarries) in non-designated sand dune areas on private land are regulated by local ordinances.
First contact local zoning authorities, usually the township supervisors, for complaints about gravel pit operations and any local restrictions, ordinances, and operation requirements.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) :

Second, contact the following DEQ Divisions based on activity and question. Multiple DEQ divisions, besides other state and local agencies, may have regulations pertaining to sand and gravel mining operations depending on the mining operations, what is being mined, and where.

CREATING LAKES: If a lake will be created from the excavation that is greater than 5 acres or is within 500 feet of surface waters, or the site involves wetland or the site involves any land/water interface. Contact the District Office, Department of Environment quality.

IMPACTING WATER LEVELS: Excavations for gravel pits or man-made lakes may have an impact on the local hydrologic conditions, primarily by diverting water or impacting water quality. It is necessary, before permits are issued, to determine pre-excavation hydrologic conditions at the proposed site and to assess whether adverse environmental impacts could occur.
Go to: General Guidelines for Hydrogeological Investigations

SAND DUNES:
Sand dunes are regulated by the Office of Oil, Gas, and Minerals (OOGM) and the Land and Water Management Division (LWMD):

Go to Sand Dune Mining for information about sand dunes mining subject to the Part 637 of Act 451 requirements overseen by the Office of Oil, Gas, and Minerals (OOGM). The applicant for a permit to conduct sand dune mining in designated areas must submit an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Progressive Cell-Unit Mining & Reclamation Plan to the OOGM. Contact Mr. Steve Wilson at 517-241-1542 or email to wilsons15@michigan.gov

Go to Sand Dune Protection for information about sand dune activities subject to Part 353 of Act 451 overseen by the Land and Water Management Division. Contact Ms. Penny Holt at 517-373-1952 or email to holtp@michigan.gov. A permit application can be obtained on line at www.michigan.gov/jointpermit

Go to Shoreland Management for issues related to high risk shorelines and information about other requirements

DUST ISSUES:
If the operation creates dust issue from crushing the stone or equipment operation including truck traffic:
Go to Dust and Fallout . Contact Donna Davis, Clean Air Assistance Program, Environmental Science & Services Division, at 517-335-2784 or District Office, Air Quality Division for more information on fugitive dust or particulate matter (PM) requirements;

TEST DRILLING WELLS:
If test drilling wells will be drilled in a rock quarry, then a permit is required by the Office of Oil, Gas, and Minerals per rules effective June 1, 2004. Go to Mineral Wells. Contact Ray Vugrinovich at 517-241-1532 for more information

DEWATERING WELLS:
If a dewatering well will be installed contact the Water Bureau, Well Construction Unit, Mike Graber 517-241-1374, or Joe Crigier, Water Bureau, Contamination and Investigation Unit at 517-241-1389. They can discuss the well construction code which contains rules pertaining to construction and decommissioning of dewatering wells but does not contain permitting provisions. Dewatering contractors are required to be registered and submit well construction records. Local ordinances may require construction permits from the county or district health department before the wells are drilled. They can direct the caller to the appropriate local health department.

WASTEWATER DISCHARGES:
If wastewater will be discharged into surface waters go to "NPDES Permits". Contact 517-241-7965 Water Bureau Compliance Assistance Specialist, DEQ, Environmental Science and Services Division District Office, Water Bureau regarding general questions if wastewater will be discharged from the site into surface waters or groundwater; or
Regarding status of NPDES permit, contact 517-373-1329 Jude Woodcock, DEQ, Water Bureau, Permits Section or District Office, Water Bureau.

If wastewater will be discharged back into groundwater, Look under "Rule 2215 Gravel Mining-1" to link to Certificate of Coverage COC under General Permit for Gravel, Sand, Limestone, or Dolomite Mining. Contact Groundwater Section Permits and Technical Support Unit secretary at 517-373-8148 for referral to available staff to address questions about groundwater discharges.

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (DNR)

If the site is on state owned land:
The Department of Natural Resources oversees leasing of state owned lands for mineral, oil, and gas mining and extraction along with underground gas storage under Part 5 of Act 451 of 1994, as amended. Contact Milt Gere, Metallics/Non-metallics Leasing & Gas Storage Unit Supervisor, at 517-335-3249. If he is not available," call the Department of Natural Resources, Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Division at 517-373-1250 to see if someone else can address your questions regarding leasing rights on state owned lands.

MICHIGAN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (MIOSHA)

MIOSHA has regulations requiring Emergency Action Plans. According to staff, these requirements do not apply to mines as defined in Act 154 of 1974, 408.1004(7). MIOSHA does apply to sand and gravel pits and stone quarries. If you would like more information contact MIOSHA at 517-322-1814.

Coal Mining in Michigan

There are no active coal mines in Michigan.

Michigan's Coal Mine Reclamation Regulations

The mining of coal in Michigan is regulated by Part 635 , Michigan's Coal Mine Reclamation Regulations, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended (NREPA), including associated rules. Other state regulations may also apply depending on the nature and location of the mining project.

A Coal Mine Reclamation Permit, issued by the Department Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE), Office of Oil, Gas, and Minerals(OOGM), is required for mining coal in Michigan. It is the policy of the DNRE that all permit applications receive a thorough review, including opportunity for public input and comment.

When the application documents are received by the OOGM, the processing procedure varies depending on the nature and scope of the proposed mining operation. The OOGM conducts a preliminary review to determine completeness and accuracy of the application when it is received. At this point, as well as anytime in the evaluation process, the applicant may be asked to revise the application, and/or provide additional technical information. Based on the characteristics of the project, the application may be sent to other state government agencies for review and comment.

Applications that are received and considered administratively complete, will be posted on the Office of Oil, Gas, and Mineralsweb pages as well as be available at one or more locations relative to the proposed coal mine.

A Public Informational Meeting usually is held at a location near the proposed operation. This provides the opportunity for the applicant to explain the project to the public. Public input is encouraged.

After agency review is complete, the OOGM staff submits recommendation to the Office Director to either issue or deny the application. Prior to issuance of the permit, a public notice of the intent to issue is made in the DNRE electronic calendar, and in one or more local newspapers. If the OOGM considers it necessary, and/or if requested by the public, a public hearing may be held before a final decision is made on the application. This provides for the opportunity to receive further comment from the public. The proposed permit may be further modified depending on the results of the public hearing. The OOGM Office Chief approves or denies the application. The resulting permit if issued is for the life of the mining operation. The approved permit may be subsequently modified or revoked for cause as described in Part 635 of NREPA.

Additional permits such as Air Use, Water Discharge, Inland Lakes and Streams and or Wetland Permits may be needed. Removal of minerals from State Lands is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources. Federal and or local regulations may apply as well.

Other federal, state and or local ordinances and regulations might apply.

Exploration for minerals is regulated under Part 625 as "Test Wells"

Coal and Nonmetallic Minerals

Nonmetallic Minerals

Coal Mining in Michigan

Coal Mine Maps