Help for General Inspections

This help section covers the results listed under General Inspections. Mined Land staff compare activity at the mine to all applicable legal requirements including the Mined Land Reclamation Law and Regulations and the mine’s permit and mined land-use plan. The list of topics from the inspection results is organized in alphabetical order below:
Adequate Topsoil OK means that the inspector observed an adequate stockpile of soil material capable of sustaining plant growth for future use in site reclamation.
Company Name –The person, company or organization in charge of the operation of a mine, or the name of the financial institution that has underwritten the financial security required for the mine.
Drainage OK means the inspector observed that all process water and runoff were contained as required in all related permits, stormwater prevention control plans and the approved mined land-use plan. Offsite discharges are relatively rare and only allowed through DEC Division of Water SPDES permits.
Dust Control OK means that the inspector observed that all areas of the mine were maintained in a condition that minimized their potential to become a source of fugitive dust and air pollution and any dust that was generated was confined to the mine property.
Entrance Road OK means that the inspector observed that all entrance roads to the mine site were constructed and maintained as required to prevent erosion, discharge of sediment-laden water and tracking of materials off-site.
Haul Roads OK means that the inspector observed that roadways used to transport mineral products were being maintained in a condition that provided adequate environmental protection and minimized the road’s potential to become a source of air or water pollution or a public safety problem.
Inspection Type – The old general “Inspection“ code denotes older inspections of all types. Newer database entries have more detail on the type of inspection.
Regarding inspections at the reclamation stage (either concurrent or final reclamation) – in the past these have been covered under either the old general “Inspection“ code or one of the newer codes (for example “Compliance Enforcement,“ or “Routine Inspection“). However, with refinements over time in the level of reclamation details entered into the database, more recent reclamation inspections can be found under the column entitled “Reclamation Inspections“ in the Mines Data search results.
Mine ID - Mine identification number where the first numeral indicates the DEC Region number where mine is located.
Mine Name – Name of the mine as shown on the mined land reclamation permit or bluestone exploration authorization. Please note that the “Mine Name“ may be different from both “Company Name“ and “Permittee Name,“ or the mine may not have a separate name at all.
Mining OK with Plans means that the inspector checked details of mine operation required in the approved mined land-use plan (besides those otherwise covered in this checklist) and the mine was okay.
Noise Control OK means that the inspector checked and all required noise control measures were properly installed, constructed and maintained. This category includes such things as mufflers on equipment and installation of berms (mounded hills of dirt and other material placed around active mining areas to block sounds).
Operational means the inspector witnessed mining activity at the site (such as extraction, stockpiling, preparation, and processing of minerals) during the inspection.
Overburden/ Spoil Piles OK means that the inspector observed that material taken from above or alongside the mineral deposits was properly removed, relocated and stored as required to prevent pollution and protect the material for future use in reclaiming the mine.
Permit Current means the inspector checked that the expiration date for the permit had not passed yet.
Permit Posted means the inspector observed a valid permit sign at the mine entrance or mine office in a position accessible to public view.
Screening in Place/ Screening OK means the inspector checked and all required screening was properly installed, constructed and maintained. Screening may consist of either artificial or natural barriers, such as berms, fences, shrubs, trees, or any combination thereof. Screening is used to confine dust and flying particles and reduce noise and/or visual impacts.
Setbacks OK means that the inspector observed that the mining activity did not violate any property boundaries, easements, right-of-ways or specific separation distances spelled out in permit conditions or approved plans.
Special Conditions Met means that the inspector checked everything required in special permit conditions (not otherwise covered in this checklist) and the mine was okay.
Within LOM means that the inspector observed that mining was confined inside the life-of-mine (LOM) area which is typically larger than the currently permitted area. The LOM area is used to determine the mine’s environmental impacts over a period of successive permits.
Within Permitted Area means that the inspector observed that mining was confined inside the work area legally authorized in the current permit (often these permits have five-year terms though there is some variation).