Minerals Program:

Role of the Minerals Regulatory Program

The minerals program regulates non-coal mining operations in the state of Utah with a few exceptions, as noted in Utah Administrative Code R647.

The minerals program staff works to ensure reclamation standards can be achieved after mining has been completed. The staff oversees the many large mining operations, including the Bingham Canyon copper mine and the unique Topaz beryllium mine, and many small mine and exploration operations.

Staff verifies that mine operators follow their plans for mining and reclamation, including mining within permit boundaries and protecting public safety and the environment. The Division holds reclamation bonds to ensure the future reclamation of mine sites.

There are over 200 different minerals mined in Utah, which include the base and precious metals of copper, magnesium, gold, silver and beryllium. Utah also produces many industrial minerals, such as potash, crushed stone, salt, lime, phosphate, gilsonite and gypsum, and unconventional fuels including oil shale and oil sand. Currently there are approximately 600 permitted mineral operations statewide.

The State of Utah has implemented a new initiative across all state agencies entitled The New Workplace: Modernizing Where, How, and When Utah Works. Due to this new initiative, many staff are not in the office five days a week. We are taking all necessary steps to ensure we provide the same level of service to our customers, while increasing our efficiencies of how/where business is done. If you have business with the Division, please call or email before coming in to make sure necessary staff is available.

Minerals program submittals or correspondence

Submittals or correspondence may be provided by hard copy or sent electronically to ogmminerals@utah.gov with a copy to the lead inspector.

Credit Card Payment

If you would like to submit a permit fee or fine payment over the phone with a credit card, please call 385-332-1740 or you can submit payments online at https://secure.utah.gov/cart/DOGM_PROG/products.html. Please be prepared with the mine permit number. Sureties cannot be submitted by credit card.

Hot Topics

Minerals Exploration Tax Credit

In 2022 the Legislature passed SB250, which created an exploration tax credit available for certain non-coal minerals operations. Click for more information

Public Hearing - Geneva Point of the Mountain Expansion

Final Order Affirming the Division's Tentative Approval

Many state, federal and local government agencies, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, industry representatives and the public are working together to protect Great Salt Lake. Several councils and committees also contribute. Visit https://greatsaltlake.utah.gov/ to learn more about what is being done.

Legislative Changes

House Bill 294 and Senate Bill 131 recently passed the Utah State Legislature and have been signed by Governor Herbert. HB 294 exempts basalt mines with fewer than 50 acres of disturbance from regulation under the Utah Mined Land Reclamation Act. Basalt mines with 50 or more acres of disturbance are still regulated by the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining. SB 131 increases the size of small mines from 10 to 20 acres in unincorporated areas and from 5 to 10 acres in incorporated areas. The Division is working to update the administrative rules (R647) and small mine forms to reflect these changes.

Changes to R647-1 to R647-5
The changes have been made by going through the rulemaking process with the intention of clearing up the definition of suspension.

sagegrouse Utah Updated Greater Sage Grouse Conservation Plan

You can review the updated Conservation Plan for Greater Sage-Grouse in Utah here:
https://wildlife.utah.gov/learn-more/greater-sage-grouse.html

The plan will guide the management of greater sage grouse in Utah for the next five years. Governor Herbert authorized the first version of the plan in 2013. Since then, the plan has led countless state, federal and private partners in conserving greater sage grouse in Utah. Statewide populations have thrived as a result.

In 2017 and 2018, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, in coordination with the governor’s Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office, worked with a broad group of stakeholders to review the plan and recommend further improvements. Governor Herbert says the updated plan incorporates new science, knowledge and key lessons learned, while building on the progress made under the past plan. With the ongoing commitment and collaboration of the state of Utah and its many conservation partners, including private landowners, the plan gives Utah a new chapter in sage grouse conservation.

The Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, as a branch of the Department of Natural Resources is required to coordinate the implementation of this plan when permitting activities that affect sage-grouse populations within the sage-grouse management areas. The Utah Minerals Regulatory program has been consistent in applying rule R647-4-109.5 which requires mitigation for effects to threatened and endangered species.

Interactive Sage Grouse Management Areas Map