A mine permit and safety license issued by the Division of Mineral Mining (DMM) is required prior to any commercial extraction and sale of minerals. DMM is the state regulatory agency that administers health, safety, and mined land reclamation programs for all non-coal mineral mining operations in Virginia.

View our information pamphlets here.

The following is a list of steps you need to take to obtain a Virginia Mineral Mining License/Permit:

Step 1: Where do I Start?

The first step is to initiate contact with the Division. The Commonwealth of Virginia is divided up into twelve inspection areas with one mine inspector per area. The best way to start is to contact the inspector in the county where you plan to mine. You can find your inspector by county here. You may also reach out to our Mineral Mining Permit Technician for assistance. We are here to help you!

During your initial contact you should be prepared to provide the information we need to set up your company in our system. You will need the following Company Information.

Step 2: How do I obtain an eForms User ID?

  1. Navigate to the eForms login page.
  2. Note: We recommend using Chrome.
  3. Fill out the User Registration Form link.

    • ☐   Pay close attention to the required items note by the asterick (*).
    • ☐   Request e-Forms Center = Mineral Mining.
    • ☐   Access Requested = Enter the company name provided in Step 1.
    • ☐   Create your user id.
    • ☐   Create your password.
    • ☐   Hint: it has to 14 characters long and must include an UPPERCASE, lowercase, number, and special character. Ex. MineralMining2025!
  4. You will receive an email when your user id is approved.
  5. Note: Your password must be updated every 45 days. Over 90 days and your account is suspended and requires reactivation. Over 435 days and your account is deactivated and you must create a new one.

Step 3: How do I complete my Permit Application in e-Forms?

  1. Login to eForms.
  2. Select File New Permit (170)
  3. Note: It is not necessary to Save at the end of each page as moving from page-to-page will save your work! 
  4. Note: You can go to page 4 to save, print, submit, delete or calculate your fees at any time.
  5. Note: You will notice the form 170 is used for new permit applications as well as for renewals and amendments.  Depending on which you are completing certian sections will not be available for you to modify.    
The following are specific directions for the  sections of the New Permit Application (170) .

Page 1, Section 1 Company Information

  1. Company information is auto filled from step 3 (this is the information you verbally provided to your inspector).
  2. Select Verify Company Information.
    • ☐   Form Company Information (177) with approved data will be presented.
    • ☐   Make any needed changes.
    • ☐   Select Submit Changes or No Changes.
    • ☐   Check the checkbox to acknowledge verification of company information.

    Page 1, Section 2 Mine Name and Contact Information

      • ☐   Make sure to enter the phone in (###)###-#### format.

    Page 1, Section 3 Mine Location and ID Number

      • ☐   Make sure to enter your MSHA Identification Number,  if you have one.

    Page 1, Section 4 Mine Authorized Contacts Information

      • ☐   Physical correspondence will be mailed to the address in Section 1 and to the first individual in Section 4 (A).

    Page 2, Section 5 Correspondence Information

      • ☐   These individuals will receive electronic correspondence from Mineral Mining in lieu of paper correspondence.

    Page 2, Section 6 Commodity Information

      • ☐   List up to 3 primary minerals mined from the dropdown list.
      • ☐   Select the type of mine from the dropdown list.
      • ☐   Answer questions C and D by selecting Yes or No.

    Page 2, Section 7 Ownership/Leasehold Interest

      • ☐   List all individuals with ownership or leasehold interest in the land or in the mineral rights.

    Page 2, Section 8 Legal Right to Enter and Conduct Operations

      • ☐   Document deed book, page, parties, etc.
      • ☐   Provide a copy of any lease agreement/deed that provides right of entry to the property and conduct mining operations, if not owned by the applicant in Section 1.
      • ☐   Provide a description for each file and Upload Attachment in pdf format.

    Page 2, Section 9 Property Owner Notification

    1. Mail notifications via USPS certified mail with Return Receipt Service to the following:

      • ☐   Division of Mineral Mining,
      • ☐   All property owners within 1,000 feet of the proposed permit boundary,
      • ☐   All public utilities within 1,000 feet of the proposed permit boundaries and
      • ☐   Locality.
    2. Attach the USPS Certified Mail Receipts (green cards).
    3. Attach DMM-103 Notice of Application to Mine  listing names and addresses of adjoining property owners and utilities.
    4. Attach proof that the local administrative official has been notified on your intent to mine. You may use DMM103 or other documentation such as a Conditional Use letter, etc.)
    5. Attach copy of the county tax map with permit boundary and 1000 foot perimeter (unless parcel information is provided on the permit map or separate sensitive features map).
    6. Provide a Description, Choose File and Upload Attachment in pdf format.
    7. Note: Successful attachments will appear in the chart above with status "OK" where you may "Open/Download" to view what you have submitted. If you incorrectly attach a document, you may "Delete".  

    Page 3, Section 10 Contractor Declaration

    1. List all contractors that will be working on your mine site.
    2. Press Add New Contractor.
    3. Using the "Filter", enter the DMM Contractor ID (7 digit number issued by us and provided by the contractor) or search by part of their business name (hint: using one word is easiest to avoid issues with punctuation).
    4. Pay attention to the Status of the contractor. Only "Active" contractors maybe added. If the contractor is listed as "Inactive", this is generally because they have closed or requested this. If the contractor is listed as "Blocked", this is something DMM does and you need to contact our office before you can use this contractor at your site.
    5. Select each contractor you wish to add, inlcude to location where they will be working at your site and press ADD.
    6. You are required to accurately maintain this list and report to DMM all independent contractors who begin or cease working within 30 days of the event. The form Contractor Identification (171) is used for this purpose.

    Page 3, Section 11 Accident Review

    1. You do not use this section for new permit applications.

    Page 3, Section 12 Operational, Drainage and Reclamation Plans

    1. Answer the question about mining below the water table.
    2. Include the following attachments in pdf format. Add a Description, Choose File, and Upload Attachment.
      • ☐   Operational, Drainage and Reclamation Plans (see 4VAC 25-31-130)
      • ☐   Ground Water Protection Plan, if mining below the water table.
      • ☐   Sensitive Features Map, showing all sensitive features within 500 feet of the permit boundary, if not included in Permit Map (see 4VAC 25-31-150B4).

    Page 3, Section 13 Acerage and Post-Mined Land Use

    1. Select the anticipiated PMLU and acerage for the permit site.

    Page 3, Section 14 Current Map and Map Legend

    1. Permit Map must show the entire permitted area including the mine access road and include:

      • ☐   The permit boundary is outlined by a dashed red line.
      • ☐   Acreage to be disturbed in the first 12 months of the mining operation is cross hatched brown .
      • ☐   Provide a North Arrow and scale.
      • ☐   Show any previously delineated wetlands and riparian buffers.
      • ☐   1,000 feet notification perimeter should be clearly marked.
      • ☐   All parcels within 1,000 of the permit boundary should be labeled by parcel number and owner name.
    2. Sensitive Features Map must show all sensitive features within 500 feet of the permit boundary (see 4VAC 25-31-150B4).
    3. Note: the permit map and sensitive features map can be combined, but the scale must be a minimum of 1 inch to 400 feet. If this is submitted separately, the sensitive features map should be included in section 12.
    4. Complete the Map Legend (DMM109 Map Legend Form).
    5. Include all attachments in pdf format. Add a Description, Choose File, and Upload Attachment.

    Page 4, Section 15 Renewal Option

    1. Select One or Two year renewal.
    2. Note: If you select two year renewal, you will pay for the full two years upfront.

    Page 4, Section 16 Temporary Cessation or Inactive Mines

    1. You do not use this section for new permit applications.

    Page 4, Section 17 Additional Information and Comments

    1. Enter your name and position.
    2. Provide VDOT Commercial Entrance Permit for mine access road in pdf format.
    3. Add a Description, Choose File, and Upload Attachment.
    4. Note: a letter from VDOT indicating that no improvements are needed to use any existing entrance for a commercial entrance is acceptable.

    Calculate Fees

    1. Press Fees to calcuate the fees you will be required to pay.
    2. You will receive an "Approved" email when you can make payment.

    Next Steps

    1. Press Submit when you are ready.
    2. You will receive a "Submitted" email.
    3. Your inspector and our permit engineers will review, request necessary changes and approve your application.
    4. You will receive emails as the application moves through our approval process.
    5. If you have questions, contact your inspector.

    Step 4: What Certifications are Required?

    There are required certifications to work on mineral mine sites in Virginia. To learn more about these requirements contact your mine inspector or reach out to our Training and Certification Technician.

    When are Training Classes Offered?

    The Division of Mineral Mining offers training and certification classes throughout the year at various locations in Virginia. We offer formal classroom training, self-serve presentations, as well as online training. To learn more about training opportunities near you click here »