Regulation on the conditions and procedure for issuing waste management permits, as well as the criteria, characterization, classification and reporting on mining waste.

This Regulation sets out necessary conditions and procedures for issuance of mining waste management permits, as well as the criteria, characterization, classification and reporting on mining waste.
These kind of permits are issued in accordance with the mining waste management plan and other accompanying documentation, by which the operator defines the type, manner of management and reporting, as well as other obligations regarding the management of such mining waste. The permit is granted by a decision issued by the Ministry, or by the competent provincial or local authorities. The mining waste management plan is prepared by the operator in accordance with the following objectives: 1) prevention or reduction of mining waste generation and its negative impact on the environment (taking into account in particular: management of mining waste in the design phase, as well as during the selection of the method of excavation and preparation of mineral raw materials; changes that may occur in mining waste in connection with the increase of the available area and exposure to conditions on the surface of the earth; return of the surface layer of land after the closure of the landfill or, if this is not feasible, its use elsewhere; use of less dangerous substances in the preparation of mineral raw materials); 2) encouraging the use of mining waste by recycling, re-use or disposal of such waste when it is acceptable for the environment, in accordance with regulations in the field of environmental protection; and 3) ensuring short-term and long-term safe disposal of mining waste by considering, especially in the design phase, landfill management during operation and after closure, as well as by selecting a project that: requires a minimum, and if possible, ultimately does not require monitoring, control and management of closed landfills; prevents or at least minimizes all long-term adverse effects on the environment, such as those attributable to the spread of pollutants by air or water; ensures permanent geotechnical stability of all embankments/dams or tailings that are above the previously existing soil level.