The mining of metallic minerals requires a state issued mine reclamation permit. Metallic minerals include any metallic ore or material mined for its metallic content (such as iron, copper, silver, or gold). Permitted operations are regularly inspected, and are required to meet reclamation standards to protect the environment as prescribed by statute and promulgated rules.

Metallic mineral operators are required to pay an annual surveillance fee based on the amount of product produced. The fee depends on the kind of metallic product that is produced, and is placed in a metallic mineral surveillance fund. Money from this fund can be expended only on the administration and enforcement of the mining regulation requirements.
The metallic mineral mining regulations are administered by the Office of Geological Survey (OGS) pursuant to the statutory requirements of:
  Part 631, Reclamation of Mining Lands;
  Part 632, Nonferrous Metallic Mining:
  Part 625, Mineral Wells Act (mineral exploration); all as parts of the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA), 1994 PA 451, as amended.

Please see additional sections for background information about the related regulation.

Go to the DEQ Office of Geological Survey home page 
Map of Michigan- showing what office to contact.