2017 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 293. Nonferrous metallic mining.
293.61 Determination of abandonment of mining.
293.61 Determination of abandonment of mining.
(1) Except as provided under sub. (2), abandonment of mining occurs if there is a cessation of mining, not set forth in an operator's mining or reclamation plans or by any other sufficient written or constructive notice, extending for more than 6 consecutive months.
(2) Abandonment of mining does not occur:
(a) If the cessation of mining is due either to labor strikes or to such unforeseen developments as adverse market conditions, as determined by the department;
(b) If the cessation of mining does not continue beyond the time period specified by the department. The time limit specified by the department may not exceed 5 years for a mining operation for which a permit is issued under s. 293.49 on or after May 19, 1984. The time limit specified by the department may not exceed 10 years for a mining operation for which a permit is issued under s. 293.49 before May 19, 1984;
(c) If the site is maintained in an environmentally stable manner, as determined by the department, during the cessation of mining; and
(d) If the reclamation of the site continues according to the reclamation plan during the cessation of mining to the extent possible.
