It is the mission of the Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation (BMRR) to ensure Nevada's surface and groundwaters are not degraded by mining operations, and lands disturbed by mining operations are reclaimed to safe and stable conditions to ensure a productive post-mining land use. Facilities utilizing chemicals for processing ores are generally required to meet a zero-discharge performance standard. BMRR works collaboratively with the mining industry and the public to achieve its mission. This budget account is fully funded by permitting fees and is comprised of three technical units: Regulation, Closure and Reclamation. These units perform a variety of plan reviews, permitting, inspection, compliance monitoring, and enforcement activities to ensure the design, construction, operation, closure, and reclamation of mining and exploration operations. Operators must file a financial assurance/guarantee with the division or federal land manager to ensure that reclamation of the mine site will be completed should an operator default on a project.
The Regulation and Closure branches regulate mining in Nevada under the authority of NRS 445A.300-445A.730 and NAC 445A.350-447. The reclamation branch regulates mining in Nevada under the authority of NRS 519A.010-.280 and NAC 519A.010-415.