45.1-180 - Definitions.
§ 45.1-180. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have themeanings respectively ascribed to them in this section except where thecontext clearly requires a different meaning:
(a) Mining. - Means the breaking or disturbing of the surface soil or rock inorder to facilitate or accomplish the extraction or removal of minerals; anyactivity constituting all or part of a process for the extraction or removalof minerals so as to make them suitable for commercial, industrial, orconstruction use; but shall not include those aspects of deep mining nothaving significant effect on the surface, and shall not include excavation orgrading when conducted solely in aid of on-site farming or construction.Nothing herein shall apply to mining of coal. This definition shall notinclude, nor shall this title, chapter, or section be construed to apply tothe process of searching, prospecting, exploring or investigating forminerals by drilling.
(b) Disturbed land. - The areas from which overburden has been removed in anymining operation, plus the area covered by the spoil and refuse, plus anyareas used in such mining operation including land used for processing,stockpiling, and settling ponds.
(c) Overburden. - All of the earth and other material which lie above anatural deposit of minerals, ores, rock or other solid matter and also othermaterials after removal from their natural deposit in the process of mining.
(d) Spoil. - Any overburden or other material removed from its natural statein the process of mining.
(e) Operator. - Any individual, corporation or corporation officer, firm,joint venture, partnership, business trust, association, or any other groupor combination acting as a unit, or any legal entity which is engaged inmining.
(f) through (i) [Repealed.]
(j) Mining operation. - Any area included in an approved plan of operation.
(k) Reclamation. - The restoration or conversion of disturbed land to astable condition which minimizes or prevents adverse disruption and theinjurious effects thereof and presents an opportunity for further productiveuse if such use is reasonable.
(l) Mineral. - Ore, rock, and any other solid homogeneous crystallinechemical element or compound that results from the inorganic processes ofnature other than coal.
(m) Division. - The Division of Mined Land Reclamation.
(n) Refuse. - All waste soil, rock, mineral tailings, slimes and othermaterial directly connected with the mine, cleaning and preparation ofsubstances mined including all waste material deposited in the permit areafrom other sources.
(1968, c. 734; 1972, c. 206; 1974, c. 312; 1977, c. 312; 1984, c. 590.)