Revises mining statutes in South Dakota, focusing on large-scale gold and silver surface mining operations.

The bill amends South Dakota's mining statutes to regulate large-scale gold and silver surface mining operations. It limits the surface mining disturbed lands for new large-scale gold or silver surface mining operations to 320 acres. The Board of Minerals and Environment cannot issue new permits or amendments for expanded surface mining disturbed lands until reclamation has been performed. The bill also mandates annual reports from operators of large-scale gold or silver surface mining operations, detailing land affected, water usage, ore production, and other operational metrics.

Revises mining statutes in South Dakota, focusing on large-scale gold and silver surface mining operations.

The bill amends South Dakota's mining statutes to regulate large-scale gold and silver surface mining operations. It limits the surface mining disturbed lands for new large-scale gold or silver surface mining operations to 320 acres. The Board of Minerals and Environment cannot issue new permits or amendments for expanded surface mining disturbed lands until reclamation has been performed. The bill also mandates annual reports from operators of large-scale gold or silver surface mining operations, detailing land affected, water usage, ore production, and other operational metrics.