AB756,21,104 293.01 (5) “Mineral exploration" or “exploration", unless the context requires
5otherwise, means the on-site geologic examination from the surface of an area by
6core, rotary, percussion or other drilling, where the diameter of the hole does not
7exceed 18 inches, for the purpose of searching for nonferrous metallic minerals or
8establishing the nature of a known nonferrous metallic mineral deposit, and includes
9associated activities such as clearing and preparing sites or constructing roads for
10drilling.

AB756,21,2112 293.01 (7) “Merchantable by-product" means all waste soil, rock, mineral,
13liquid, vegetation and other material directly resulting from or displaced by the
14mining, cleaning or preparation of nonferrous metallic minerals during mining
15operations which are determined by the department to be marketable upon a
16showing of marketability made by the operator, accompanied by a verified statement
17by the operator of his or her intent to sell such material within 3 years from the time
18it results from or is displaced by mining. If after 3 years from the time merchantable
19by-product results from or is displaced by mining such material has not been
20transported off the mining site, it shall be considered and regulated as refuse unless
21removal is continuing at a rate of more than 12,000 cubic yards per year.

AB756,21,2423 293.01 (8) “Minerals" mean unbeneficiated metallic ore but does not include
24mineral aggregates such as stone, sand, and gravel.

1293.01 (9) “Mining" or “mining operation" means all or part of the process
2involved in the mining of nonferrous metallic minerals, other than for exploration,
3bulk sampling, or prospecting, including commercial extraction, agglomeration,
4beneficiation, construction of roads, removal of overburden and the production of
5refuse.

AB756,22,127 293.01 (12) “Mining site" means the surface area disturbed by a mining
8operation, including the surface area from which the nonferrous metallic minerals
9or refuse or both have been removed, the surface area covered by refuse, all lands
10disturbed by the construction or improvement of haulageways, and any surface areas
11in which structures, equipment, materials and any other things used in the mining
12operation are situated.

AB756,23,215 293.01 (18) “Prospecting" means engaging in the examination of an area for the
16purpose of determining the quality and quantity of nonferrous metallic minerals,
17other than for exploration or bulk sampling but including the obtaining of a
18nonferrous metallic mineral an ore sample, by such physical means as excavating,
19trenching, construction of shafts, ramps and tunnels and other means, other than for
20exploration or bulk sampling, which the department, by rule, identifies, and the
21production of prospecting refuse and other associated activities. “Prospecting" shall
22not include such activities when the activities are, by themselves, intended for and
23capable of commercial exploitation of the underlying nonferrous ore body. However,
24the fact that prospecting activities and construction may have use ultimately in
25mining, if approved, shall not mean that prospecting activities and construction

1constitute mining within the meaning of sub. (9), provided such activities and
2construction are reasonably related to prospecting requirements.

AB756,23,94 293.01 (25) “Refuse" means all waste soil, rock, mineral, liquid, vegetation and
5other material, except merchantable by-products, directly resulting from or
6displaced by the prospecting or mining and from the cleaning or preparation of
7nonferrous metallic minerals during prospecting or mining operations, and shall
8include all waste materials deposited on or in the prospecting or mining site from
9other sources.

AB756,23,1211 293.13 (2) (b) (intro.) Minimum standards for exploration, bulk sampling,
12prospecting, and mining shall include the following:

AB756,23,1514 293.13 (2) (b) 4. Adequate diversion and drainage of water from the
15exploration, bulk sampling, prospecting, or mining site.

AB756,23,1817 293.13 (2) (b) 7. Removal and stockpiling, or other measures to protect topsoils
18prior to exploration, bulk sampling, prospecting, or mining.

AB756,23,2220 293.13 (2) (c) (intro.) Minimum standards for reclamation of exploration and
21bulk sampling sites, where appropriate, and for prospecting and mining sites shall
22conform to s. 293.01 (23) and include provision for the following:

AB756,24,224 293.13 (2) (c) 7. Revegetation to stabilize disturbed soils and prevent air and
25water pollution, with the objective of reestablishing a variety of populations of plants

1and animals indigenous to the area immediately prior to exploration, bulk sampling,
2prospecting, or mining.

AB756,24,115 293.15 (8) Promulgate rules regulating the production, storage and disposal
6of radioactive waste from exploration, bulk sampling, prospecting, or mining after
7seeking comments from the department of health services. At a minimum, rules
8promulgated under this subsection shall achieve the margin of safety provided in
9applicable federal statutes and regulations. If the department promulgates rules
10under this subsection, the department shall investigate the need for standards more
11restrictive than the applicable federal statutes and regulations.