The Department of Environmental Quality proposed amendments to regulations governing hard-rock mining and exploration. The amendments would, among other things, adopt a new rule on exploration license assignments and amend provisions concerning reclamation requirements, operating permit applications, enforcement, annual reports, and blasting operations. A hearing will be held February 7, 2024. Comments are due February 9, 2024. See https://sosmt.gov/docs/118/2024/62390/issue-1-current (pp. 4-19).