45.1-161.292:36 - Notices to Department; resumption of mining following discontinuance

§ 45.1-161.292:36. Notices to Department; resumption of mining followingdiscontinuance.

A. The licensed operator or his agent shall send notice of intent to abandonor discontinue the working of an underground mine for a period of thirty daysor a surface mine for a period of sixty days to the Department at least tendays prior to discontinuing the working of a mine with such intent, or at anytime a mine becomes an inactive mine.

B. The licensed operator, or his agent, shall send to the Department tendays' prior notice of intent to resume the working of an inactive mine.Except for a surface mineral mine which is inspected by the Mine Safety andHealth Administration, the working of such mine shall not resume until a mineinspector has inspected the mine and approved it.

C. Emergency actions necessary to preserve a mine may be undertaken withoutthe prior notice of intent and advance inspection required by subsection B.In such event, a mine foreman shall examine a mine for hazardous conditionsimmediately before miners are permitted to work. The licensed operator, orhis agent, shall notify the Department as soon as possible after commencingemergency action necessary to preserve the mine.

D. The licensed operator, or his agent, shall send to the Department tendays' prior notice of any change in the name of a mine or in the name of theoperation of a mine.

E. The licensed operator, or his agent, shall send to the Department tendays' prior notice of the opening of a new mine.

F. Any notice required by this section shall be in writing and shall includethe name of the mine, the location of the mine, the name of the licensedoperator, and the licensed operator's mailing address.

(1997, c. 390; 1998, c. 695.)