The key elements of the Copper Mining Rules are very detailed.

New design, construction and operation provisions under the adopted regulation require:

• New design features for new facilities and the expansion of existing facilities that are specifically intended to protect groundwater;
• New criteria for closing a mine, including re-grading land and installing groundcover to minimize infiltration of precipitation into and through mined materials that might otherwise reach ground water;
• New engineering design requirements for waste rock and leach stockpiles and impoundments; and
• Clear and specific design technology requirements for impoundments, tanks and pipelines.

The Frequently Asked Questions address the primary points of discussion.