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Wyoming committee advances draft to expand limited-mining exemptions, but conservationists urge limits
Summary
The Minerals committee directed staff to draft a revised Senate File 44 that would widen limited-mining operation (LMO) exemptions to most non‑coal minerals, raise bonding requirements and add a full‑cost bond option; environmental groups told the panel LMOs lack public review and baseline sampling for metals that can cause acid drainage.
The Senate Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee voted to have staff prepare a revised draft of Senate File 44, a bill that would broaden Wyoming's limited‑mining operation (LMO) exemption to most non‑coal minerals while raising bonding and reporting requirements.
The committee asked staff to incorporate DEQ staff comments and agency amendments in a redraft the panel will review before the next meeting. Cochair Burkhart moved the staff‑informed draft and members approved the motion by voice without recorded opposition.
Why it matters: the draft would keep LMOs as a limited‑scale pathway but would expand eligible materials from inert aggregates to many non‑coal minerals (excluding radionuclides regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission). The…
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