{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/45.2-1008.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/45.2-1008.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/45.2-1008.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/45.2-1008.html"}],"law_id":59248,"edition_id":1,"section_id":59248,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1008","catch_line":" Coal exploration operations","history":"1979, c. 290, \u00a7 45.1-233; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","full_text":"A\n\nAny coal exploration operation that substantially disturbs the natural land surface shall be conducted in accordance with exploration regulations adopted by the Director. Such regulations shall, at a minimum, (i) require that any person, prior to conducting any exploration under this section, file with the Director notice of intention to explore that includes a description of the exploration area and the proposed period of exploration and (ii) include provisions for the reclamation, in accordance with the performance standards established pursuant to &#xA7; 45.2-1017, of all lands disturbed in exploration, including all excavations, roads, and drill holes, and for the removal of necessary facilities and equipment.B\n\nInformation submitted to the Director pursuant to this section as confidential concerning trade secrets or privileged commercial or financial information that relates to the competitive rights of the person or entity intended to explore the described area shall be exempt from disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (&#xA7; 2.2-3700 et seq.) and shall not be disclosed.C\n\nAny person who conducts any coal exploration activity that substantially disturbs the natural land surface in violation of this section or any regulation issued pursuant thereto is subject to the provisions of &#xA7; 45.2-1021.D\n\nNo person shall remove more than 250 tons of coal while engaged in a coal exploration operation without a specific written coal exploration permit issued by the Director.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":217177,"text":"Any coal exploration operation that substantially disturbs the natural land surface shall be conducted in accordance with exploration regulations adopted by the Director. Such regulations shall, at a minimum, (i) require that any person, prior to conducting any exploration under this section, file with the Director notice of intention to explore that includes a description of the exploration area and the proposed period of exploration and (ii) include provisions for the reclamation, in accordance with the performance standards established pursuant to &#xA7; 45.2-1017, of all lands disturbed in exploration, including all excavations, roads, and drill holes, and for the removal of necessary facilities and equipment.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":217178,"text":"Information submitted to the Director pursuant to this section as confidential concerning trade secrets or privileged commercial or financial information that relates to the competitive rights of the person or entity intended to explore the described area shall be exempt from disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (&#xA7; 2.2-3700 et seq.) and shall not be disclosed.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":217179,"text":"Any person who conducts any coal exploration activity that substantially disturbs the natural land surface in violation of this section or any regulation issued pursuant thereto is subject to the provisions of &#xA7; 45.2-1021.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":217180,"text":"No person shall remove more than 250 tons of coal while engaged in a coal exploration operation without a specific written coal exploration permit issued by the Director.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13541,"edition_id":1,"name":"Regulation of Mining Activity","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":5,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13540,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","permalink":{"id":223733,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13541,"identifier":"2","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2","url":"\/45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13540,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Coal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1979","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13539,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","permalink":{"id":223697,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13540,"identifier":"10","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10","url":"\/45.2\/II\/C\/10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13539,"edition_id":1,"name":"Surface Coal Mines","identifier":"C","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12985,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","permalink":{"id":223695,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13539,"identifier":"C","token":"45.2\/II\/C","url":"\/45.2\/II\/C\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12985,"edition_id":1,"name":"Coal Mining","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12713,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","permalink":{"id":222647,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12985,"identifier":"II","token":"45.2\/II","url":"\/45.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12713,"edition_id":1,"name":"Mines, Minerals, and Energy","identifier":"45.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":222539,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12713,"identifier":"45.2","token":"45.2","url":"\/45.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":59248,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1008","catch_line":" Coal exploration operations","url":"\/45.2-1008\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1008","metadata":false},{"id":68698,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1009","catch_line":" Permit required for coal surface mining operation; term; transfer, etc","url":"\/45.2-1009\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1009","metadata":false},{"id":63876,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1010","catch_line":" Form and contents of permit application; fee","url":"\/45.2-1010\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1010","metadata":false},{"id":69681,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1011","catch_line":" Operation and reclamation plans","url":"\/45.2-1011\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1011","metadata":false},{"id":54700,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1012","catch_line":" Revision of permits","url":"\/45.2-1012\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1012","metadata":false},{"id":80707,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1013","catch_line":" Approval or denial of permit","url":"\/45.2-1013\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1013","metadata":false},{"id":81130,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1014","catch_line":" Public participation in process of issuing or revising permits","url":"\/45.2-1014\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1014","metadata":false},{"id":76504,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1015","catch_line":" Decision of Director upon permit application; hearing; appeal","url":"\/45.2-1015\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1015","metadata":false},{"id":64109,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1016","catch_line":" Performance bonds","url":"\/45.2-1016\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1016","metadata":false},{"id":74259,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1017","catch_line":" Performance standards","url":"\/45.2-1017\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1017","metadata":false},{"id":84028,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1018","catch_line":" Surface effects of underground coal mining operations","url":"\/45.2-1018\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1018","metadata":false},{"id":84230,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1019","catch_line":" Inspections and monitoring","url":"\/45.2-1019\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1019","metadata":false},{"id":54505,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1020","catch_line":" Enforcement of chapter generally","url":"\/45.2-1020\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1020","metadata":false},{"id":84596,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1021","catch_line":" Civil and criminal penalties","url":"\/45.2-1021\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1021","metadata":false},{"id":80009,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1022","catch_line":" Citizen suits; rights of citizens to accompany inspectors","url":"\/45.2-1022\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1022","metadata":false},{"id":61906,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1023","catch_line":" Forfeiture or release of performance bond","url":"\/45.2-1023\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1023","metadata":false},{"id":84157,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1024","catch_line":" Performance of reclamation operations by Director","url":"\/45.2-1024\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1024","metadata":false},{"id":54560,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1025","catch_line":" Administrative review of notice or order issued under \u00a7 45.2-1020","url":"\/45.2-1025\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1025","metadata":false},{"id":86764,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1026","catch_line":" Hearings","url":"\/45.2-1026\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1026","metadata":false},{"id":76733,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1027","catch_line":" Judicial review of final order or decision or decision under \u00a7 45.2-1035","url":"\/45.2-1027\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1027","metadata":false},{"id":61010,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1028","catch_line":" Designating areas unsuitable for coal surface mining","url":"\/45.2-1028\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1028","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":68698,"structure_id":13541,"section_number":"45.2-1009","catch_line":" Permit required for coal surface mining operation; term; transfer, etc","url":"\/45.2-1009\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1009","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/45.2-1008\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1979. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 290 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1979 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online.<\/p>","references":[{"id":66688,"section_number":"45.2-1000","catch_line":" Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1000\/"},{"id":78271,"section_number":"45.2-1048","catch_line":" Collection of reclamation tax and penalties for nonpayment","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1048\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":55569,"section_number":"2.2-3700","catch_line":"Short title; policy","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3700\/"},{"id":74259,"section_number":"45.2-1017","catch_line":" Performance standards","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1017\/"}],"permalink":{"id":223735,"object_type":"law","relational_id":59248,"identifier":"45.2-1008","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1008","url":"\/45.2-1008\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/45.2-1008\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/2\/45.2-1008","dublin_core":{"Title":" Coal exploration operations","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 45.2-1008","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> Any coal exploration operation that substantially disturbs the natural land surface shall be conducted in accordance with exploration regulations adopted by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span>. Such regulations shall, at a minimum, (i) require that any <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span>, prior to conducting any exploration under this section, file with the <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span> notice of intention to explore that includes a description of the exploration area and the proposed period of exploration and (ii) include provisions for the reclamation, in accordance with the performance standards established pursuant to &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\" Performance standards\" href=\"\/45.2-1017\/\">45.2-1017<\/a>, of all lands disturbed in exploration, including all excavations, roads, and drill holes, and for the removal of necessary facilities and equipment. <a id=\"paragraph-217177\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-1008\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> Information submitted to the <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span> pursuant to this section as confidential concerning trade secrets or privileged commercial or financial information that relates to the competitive rights of the <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> or entity intended to explore the described area shall be exempt from disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Short title; policy\" href=\"\/2.2-3700\/\">2.2-3700<\/a> et seq.) and shall not be disclosed. <a id=\"paragraph-217178\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-1008\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> Any <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> who conducts any coal exploration activity that substantially disturbs the natural land surface in violation of this section or any regulation issued pursuant thereto is subject to the provisions of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\" Civil and criminal penalties\" href=\"\/45.2-1021\/\">45.2-1021<\/a>. <a id=\"paragraph-217179\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-1008\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> No <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> shall remove more than 250 tons of coal while engaged in a coal exploration operation without a specific written coal exploration <span class=\"dictionary\">permit<\/span> issued by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-217180\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-1008\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n COAL EXPLORATION OPERATIONS (\u00a7 45.2-1008)\n\nA. Any coal exploration operation that substantially disturbs the natural land\nsurface shall be conducted in accordance with exploration regulations adopted by\nthe Director. Such regulations shall, at a minimum, (i) require that any person,\nprior to conducting any exploration under this section, file with the Director\nnotice of intention to explore that includes a description of the exploration\narea and the proposed period of exploration and (ii) include provisions for the\nreclamation, in accordance with the performance standards established pursuant\nto &#xA7; 45.2-1017, of all lands disturbed in exploration, including all\nexcavations, roads, and drill holes, and for the removal of necessary facilities\nand equipment.\n\nB. Information submitted to the Director pursuant to this section as\nconfidential concerning trade secrets or privileged commercial or financial\ninformation that relates to the competitive rights of the person or entity\nintended to explore the described area shall be exempt from disclosure under the\nVirginia Freedom of Information Act (&#xA7; 2.2-3700 et seq.) and shall not be\ndisclosed.\n\nC. Any person who conducts any coal exploration activity that substantially\ndisturbs the natural land surface in violation of this section or any regulation\nissued pursuant thereto is subject to the provisions of &#xA7; 45.2-1021.\n\nD. No person shall remove more than 250 tons of coal while engaged in a coal\nexploration operation without a specific written coal exploration permit issued\nby the Director.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 290, \u00a7 45.1-233; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}