A. The extraction of minerals is essential to the continued economic well-being of the county and to the needs of the society, and that the reclamation of mined lands is necessary to prevent or minimize adverse effects on the environment and to protect the public health and safety.

B. The reclamation of mined lands, as provided for in this title, will permit the continued mining of minerals and will provide for the protection and subsequent beneficial use of the mined and reclaimed land.

C. Surface mining takes place in diverse areas where the geologic, topographic, climatic, biological, and social conditions are significantly different and that the reclamation operations and specifications therefor may vary accordingly. (Formerly 33.01)