Newton Consultants, Inc.

Who Needs to Obtain a Land
or Mine Permit

Mine permits are required for the extraction and processing of Aggregate and other mineral resources.

Large scale mine permits are required for operations that affect more than 10 acres or mine more than 25,000 tons of material per year.

Small scale mine permits are issued for operations that fall under those amounts. The mining of sand, gravel, rock to be crushed and used in construction, pegmatite minerals, limestone, iron ore, sand, gypsum, shale or limestone used to make cement, or dredging for commercial resale requires a mining license.

Aggregate Mining in Oregon creates many benefits for the General Public. The vast majority of mining sites in this state are aggregate mines. Aggregate is the main ingredient in concrete and asphalt pavement and is used as a base on which roads and buildings are placed. Other important uses include gravel roads, dams, landscaping, drainage control, landfills, mortar, sanding icy roads, and railroad ballast.

Total annual aggregate production in Oregon is approximately 52,000,000 cubic yards. There is also significant diatomaceous earth production, an industrial mineral with a variety of commercial uses.

To obtain a permit, a company or individual submits an application that contains a mine plan, a reclamation plan, appropriate baseline information characterizing the existing environment, and an application fee.

	*Land Permitting*
	Who Needs to Obtain a Land or Mine Permit Mine permits are required for the extraction and processing of Aggregate and other mineral resources. Large scale mine permits are required for operations that affect more than 10 acres or mine more than 25,000 tons of material per year. Small scale mine permits are issued for operations that fall under those amounts. The mining of sand, gravel, rock to be crushed and used in construction, pegmatite minerals, limestone, iron ore, sand, gypsum, shale or limestone used to make cement, or dredging for commercial resale requires a mining license. Aggregate Mining in Oregon creates many benefits for the General Public. The vast majority of mining sites in this state are aggregate mines. Aggregate is the main ingredient in concrete and asphalt pavement and is used as a base on which roads and buildings are placed. Other important uses include gravel roads, dams, landscaping, drainage control, landfills, mortar, sanding icy roads, and railroad ballast. Total annual aggregate production in Oregon is approximately 52,000,000 cubic yards. There is also significant diatomaceous earth production, an industrial mineral with a variety of commercial uses. To obtain a permit, a company or individual submits an application that contains a mine plan, a reclamation plan, appropriate baseline information characterizing the existing environment, and an application fee.