43 C.F.R. § 3809.412 : Public Lands: Interior — REGULATIONS RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS — BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR — MINERALS MANAGEMENT (3000) — MINING CLAIMS UNDER THE GENERAL MINING LAWS — SURFACE MANAGEMENT —OPERATIONS CONDUCTED UNDER PLANS OF OPERATIONS — When may I operate under a plan of operations?

You must not begin operations until BLM approves your plan of operations and you provide the financial guarantee required under §3809.551.

43 C.F.R. § 3809.412