Georgia surface mining permits

Surface mines in Georgia are permitted by the Surface Mining Unit of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), which sits in the Solid Waste Management Program of the Land Protection Branch. The unit reviews applications and approves surface mining land use plans, issues surface mining permits, evaluates the compliance of mining operations, reviews and approves bonding requirements, and ensures reclamation of completed mining operations.

In a Phase I ESA

ASTM E1527-21 does not name mining permit records among its standard record sources. They help when a property is, was, or adjoins a quarry, pit or other surface mine.

• The unit approves a land use plan and bonding. The unit approves surface mining land use plans and reviews and approves bonding requirements, and it is charged with ensuring reclamation of completed mining operations. For a former mine, ask for the land use plan and for the record of reclamation.
• Inactive is a status of its own. EPD publishes guidance on obtaining inactive status for a surface mine and on maintaining it or returning to active status. Check the status of a mine that looks idle.
• Unpermitted mining is a complaint matter. The unit investigates complaints about unpermitted surface mining operations. Complaints EPD has finished investigating are searchable through its Complaint Tracking System, described on the Emergency Response and complaint records page.
• Hobby panning is exempt. EPD says a surface mining permit is not required for hobbyists who pan for rocks and minerals, including gold, as a recreational activity.

EPD also publishes workplan guidance for mining below the water table at limestone quarries.

EPD lists the rule as 391-3-3, Surface Mining, and pairs it with O.C.G.A. 12-4-70, the Georgia Surface Mining Act of 1968.

What the record shows

EPD posts a workbook titled Permitted Surface Mining Facilities, which it describes as the surface mining facilities permitted by EPD. The copy posted was revised April 2026. The pages read do not describe its columns, and they do not link a list of mines whose permits have ended.

Where to look a site up

• The workbook is on EPD's Surface Mining page.
• The Surface Mining Technical Assistance Duty Officer is at 404.362.2692.

Getting the file

The pages read do not say where surface mining files are kept. The unit is part of the Solid Waste Management Program at EPD's Tradeport office. File reviews there are by appointment, requested by email at the address on EPD's Land Branch Open Records Requests page. Requests under the Georgia Open Records Act go through EPD's Open Records Request Portal.

Sources

Georgia Environmental Protection Division pages, read October 7, 2026:

• Surface Mining, last modified September 26, 2024.
• Surface Mining Technical Guidance, last modified September 26, 2024.
• LPB Program and Units, last modified June 30, 2026.
• Solid Waste, last modified January 17, 2025.
• Existing Rules and Corresponding Laws, last modified September 26, 2024.
• eServices, last modified March 30, 2026.
• Land Branch Open Records Requests, last modified July 29, 2026.