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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The mining districts covered by the report include the Central Front Range mineral belt, Gilpin, Boulder, <br />and Clear Creek Counties; the Cripple Creek district, 'Teller County; the State Line Kimberlite district, <br />Larimer County; the La Plata district, La Plata County; the Hahns Peak district, Routt County; the Iron <br />Hill-Powderhorn district, Gunnison County; the Silver Cliff and Rosita Hills district, Custer County; the <br />Wet Mountain Alkalic complexes, Fremont County; and the Ralston Buttes district, Jefferson and <br />Boulder Counties. <br /> <br />Mineral deposits associated with alkalic rocks are of major economic importance to Colorado's mineral <br />industry. The Cripple Creek district is still an important gold producing area in Colorado. In 1997 the <br />Cresson Mine in the Cripple Creek district produced approximately 230,000 ounces of gold. Production <br />in 1998 is estimated to be approximately the same. The State Line Kimberlite district gained recent fame, <br />as the Kelsey Lake Mine became the first commercial diamond mine in North America. During 1996 and <br />1997 gem quality diamonds of28.3, 28.3, and 16.:3 carats were produced at that mine. <br /> <br />Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG) <br /> <br />DMG P ARTlClP A TES IN FEDERAL MINING LAW HEARINGS: DMG Director Mike Long has <br />been representing the Western Governors Association (WGA) and the state in several hearings connected <br />with proposed changes to the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) regulations governing the . <br />development of hard rock (locatable) minerals. <br /> <br />The first set of hearings are associated with a study Congress directed the National Academy of Sciences <br />(NAS) to prepare regarding the effectiveness of the existing "3809 Regulations." 3809 refers to BLM's <br />existing surface mining regulations, found in sUbpllrt 3809 of the BLM's mineral rules, which govern the <br />exploration and development of hard rock minerals considered "locatable" under the General Mining Law <br />of 1872. These types of minerals include gold, silver, and copper. <br /> <br />Long spoke on behalf of the WGA at a hearing on Feb. 19 in Washington, DC and on behalf of the state <br />at a hearing in Denver on March 8. At both hearings he stated that Colorado already has an effective <br />regulatory program in place that protects federal lands from undo degradation. He asked that if the study <br />identifies shortcomings in state programs, states should have an opportunity to cure deficiencies prior to <br />the adoption of federal rules. <br /> <br />He also said that the study should take into account that the state regulation of mining often crosses <br />agency boundaries. For example, the DMG has the primarily authority to regulate mining activities from <br />exploration to reclamation. However, the authority to regulate water quality lies with the Department of <br />Public Health and Environment that works closely with the DMG. He also pointed out that Colorado's <br />existing agreement with the BLM allows mining to be more strictly regulated because Colorado's mining <br />rules are more stringent than the BLM's. If gaps exist in state programs, he said, it might be with regard <br />to the regulation of "recreational" mining -like gold panning by tourists. <br /> <br />The study is to be completed and submitted to the Senate Committee and Energy and Natural Resources <br />by July 31. <br /> <br />Meanwhile, the BLM has also released a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that analyses its <br />proposed 3809 regulations and recommends changes. A hearing will be held on the draft EIS in Denver <br />on Mar. 30. Long expects to testify at ;:,c hearing apd deli',er remarks similar to those he delivered to <br /> <br />3 <br />