CO SB076

Creates a new hard rock mining permit category effective July 1, 2014, for limited-impact mining operations disturbing five acres or less with extraction under 70,000 tons per year of mineral or overburden.

Establishes expedited 30-day permit application processing for limited-impact operations, with automatic approval if the Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety does not act within 30 days.

Requires applicants to submit evidence of legal right to enter the affected land and post a financial warranty complying with subsection (3) of the statute by July 1, 2015.

Increases annual fees for limited-impact mining permits issued after July 1, 1993, from $86 to $172 per fiscal year starting in 2014-15, while maintaining the lower $86 fee for permits issued prior to July 1, 1993.

Repeals prior application procedures and financial warranty provisions that applied between July 1, 1993, and June 30, 2014, effective July 1, 2014.