Photo of Mercur mine reclamation in Tooele Co. Minerals program staff work to ensure reclamation standards are achieved after mining is complete.
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Coal

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Salt mine, salt being loaded.

Minerals

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photo of Oil and Gas site

Oil & Gas

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Kenilworth Coal Fire Mitigation Efforts

There is an underground coal seam fire associated with the historic Kenilworth Mine in Carbon County. Starting the week of November 25, contractors will begin work in an attempt to manage and dampen the fire. The mitigation plan involves sealing surface openings connected to the mine workings with expanding foam. This process will help restrict airflow to the fire, aiming to slow its spread and reduce smoke emissions. Given the steep terrain, a helicopter will transport workers and equipment safely and efficiently to the site. The Division's Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program has been monitoring the fire since 2021. The cause of the fire is unknown, though spontaneous combustion is a common issue in coal mines. Records show that coal seam fires have been reported in the Kenilworth area since 1906. While it poses no significant threat to homes or structures, the recent visible smoke has understandably raised concerns among residents.   We understand the community's concerns regarding this ongoing fire and are committed to addressing it with the best available techniques and resources. While underground coal fires are difficult to extinguish completely, these planned measures should help to mitigate the impacts.


Division to Oversee Critical Infrastructure and Mining Study

During the 2024 legislative session, House Bill 502 was passed, directing the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining to study critical infrastructure materials operations and related mining to understand Utah's current and future needs better. Critical infrastructure materials are sand, gravel, or rock aggregate, and operations are the extraction, excavation, processing, or reprocessing of those materials.
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Minerals Exploration Tax Credit

In 2022 the Legislature passed SB250, which created an exploration tax credit available for certain non-coal minerals operations.


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Underground Injection Control Class VI Primacy Update

In 2022, the Utah Legislature passed House Bill 244, creating a framework for the Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining (OGM) to begin obtaining primacy, or primary enforcement responsibilities, from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish an Underground Injection Control (UIC) program. Primacy would give OGM regulatory oversight of the permitting, construction, operation, compliance and closure of class VI carbon sequestration wells on all lands except tribal, which the EPA currently regulates.
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