{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/45.2-1501.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/45.2-1501.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/45.2-1501.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/45.2-1501.html"}],"law_id":64032,"edition_id":1,"section_id":64032,"structure_id":15683,"section_number":"45.2-1501","catch_line":" Regulations governing conditions and practices at surface mineral mines","history":"1994, c. 28, \u00a7 45.1-161.305; 1996, c. 774; 1998, c. 695; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Director shall adopt, in accordance with Article 2 (\u00a7 2.2-4006 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act, regulations necessary to ensure safe working conditions and practices at surface mineral mines in the Commonwealth. Nothing in this section shall restrict the Director from adopting regulations more stringent than regulations adopted pursuant to the federal mine safety law. Such regulations applicable to surface mineral mines shall establish requirements for the:1\n\nProtection of miners from general risks found at surface mineral mines;2\n\nProvision and use of personal protection equipment;3\n\nControl of unstable ground conditions;4\n\nHandling and storage of combustible materials, including requirements for emergency plans, firefighting and emergency rescue, fire prevention and safety features on mine equipment, and fire prevention and safety in mine structures and buildings;5\n\nControl of exposure to airborne toxic contaminants;6\n\nSafe storage, transportation, and use of explosives and blasting devices;7\n\nSafe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of drilling equipment;8\n\nConstruction, use, maintenance, and inspection of boilers, air compressors, and compressed gas systems;9\n\nSafe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of mobile equipment;10\n\nSafe design, use, maintenance, and inspection of ladders, walkways, and travel ways;11\n\nSafe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of electrical equipment and systems;12\n\nSafe design, use, maintenance, and inspection of guards on moving parts of equipment and machinery;13\n\nSafe storage, transportation, and handling of materials, including corrosive and hazardous substances;14\n\nSafe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of hoisting equipment and cables;15\n\nActions to be taken by certified and competent persons; and16\n\nDesign, construction, maintenance, and inspection of refuse piles and water and silt retaining dams, including emergency response plans.B\n\nThe Director shall not adopt any regulation relating to surface mineral mines that is inconsistent with any requirement established by the Act or that, if an operator were to take action to comply with the provisions of such regulation, would place the operator in violation of the federal mine safety law.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":233165,"text":"The Director shall adopt, in accordance with Article 2 (\u00a7 2.2-4006 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act, regulations necessary to ensure safe working conditions and practices at surface mineral mines in the Commonwealth. Nothing in this section shall restrict the Director from adopting regulations more stringent than regulations adopted pursuant to the federal mine safety law. Such regulations applicable to surface mineral mines shall establish requirements for the:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":233166,"text":"Protection of miners from general risks found at surface mineral mines;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":233167,"text":"Provision and use of personal protection equipment;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":233168,"text":"Control of unstable ground conditions;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":233169,"text":"Handling and storage of combustible materials, including requirements for emergency plans, firefighting and emergency rescue, fire prevention and safety features on mine equipment, and fire prevention and safety in mine structures and buildings;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":233170,"text":"Control of exposure to airborne toxic contaminants;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":233171,"text":"Safe storage, transportation, and use of explosives and blasting devices;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"A7"},"7":{"id":233172,"text":"Safe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of drilling equipment;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"A7","prefix_anchor":"A7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A6","next_prefix":"A8"},"8":{"id":233173,"text":"Construction, use, maintenance, and inspection of boilers, air compressors, and compressed gas systems;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"A8","prefix_anchor":"A8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A7","next_prefix":"A9"},"9":{"id":233174,"text":"Safe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of mobile equipment;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"A9","prefix_anchor":"A9","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A8","next_prefix":"A10"},"10":{"id":233175,"text":"Safe design, use, maintenance, and inspection of ladders, walkways, and travel ways;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"A10","prefix_anchor":"A10","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A9","next_prefix":"A11"},"11":{"id":233176,"text":"Safe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of electrical equipment and systems;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"A11","prefix_anchor":"A11","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A10","next_prefix":"A12"},"12":{"id":233177,"text":"Safe design, use, maintenance, and inspection of guards on moving parts of equipment and machinery;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"A12","prefix_anchor":"A12","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A11","next_prefix":"A13"},"13":{"id":233178,"text":"Safe storage, transportation, and handling of materials, including corrosive and hazardous substances;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","13"],"prefix":"13","entire_prefix":"A13","prefix_anchor":"A13","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A12","next_prefix":"A14"},"14":{"id":233179,"text":"Safe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of hoisting equipment and cables;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","14"],"prefix":"14","entire_prefix":"A14","prefix_anchor":"A14","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A13","next_prefix":"A15"},"15":{"id":233180,"text":"Actions to be taken by certified and competent persons; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","15"],"prefix":"15","entire_prefix":"A15","prefix_anchor":"A15","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A14","next_prefix":"A16"},"16":{"id":233181,"text":"Design, construction, maintenance, and inspection of refuse piles and water and silt retaining dams, including emergency response plans.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","16"],"prefix":"16","entire_prefix":"A16","prefix_anchor":"A16","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A15","next_prefix":"B"},"17":{"id":233182,"text":"The Director shall not adopt any regulation relating to surface mineral mines that is inconsistent with any requirement established by the Act or that, if an operator were to take action to comply with the provisions of such regulation, would place the operator in violation of the federal mine safety law.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A16"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15683,"edition_id":1,"name":"Requirements Applicable to Surface Mineral Mines","identifier":"15","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":15682,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:57:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:57:49","permalink":{"id":224647,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15683,"identifier":"15","token":"45.2\/III\/C\/15","url":"\/45.2\/III\/C\/15\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":15682,"edition_id":1,"name":"Surface Mineral Mines","identifier":"C","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12949,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:57:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:57:49","permalink":{"id":224645,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15682,"identifier":"C","token":"45.2\/III\/C","url":"\/45.2\/III\/C\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12949,"edition_id":1,"name":"Mineral Mines","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12713,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","permalink":{"id":224109,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12949,"identifier":"III","token":"45.2\/III","url":"\/45.2\/III\/","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":65350,"structure_id":15683,"section_number":"45.2-1500","catch_line":" Scope of chapter","url":"\/45.2-1500\/","token":"45.2\/III\/C\/15\/45.2-1500","metadata":false},{"id":64032,"structure_id":15683,"section_number":"45.2-1501","catch_line":" Regulations governing conditions and practices at surface mineral mines","url":"\/45.2-1501\/","token":"45.2\/III\/C\/15\/45.2-1501","metadata":false},{"id":82168,"structure_id":15683,"section_number":"45.2-1502","catch_line":" Standards for regulations","url":"\/45.2-1502\/","token":"45.2\/III\/C\/15\/45.2-1502","metadata":false},{"id":63308,"structure_id":15683,"section_number":"45.2-1503","catch_line":" Mining in proximity to gas and oil wells","url":"\/45.2-1503\/","token":"45.2\/III\/C\/15\/45.2-1503","metadata":false},{"id":64361,"structure_id":15683,"section_number":"45.2-1504","catch_line":" Respiratory equipment","url":"\/45.2-1504\/","token":"45.2\/III\/C\/15\/45.2-1504","metadata":false},{"id":60029,"structure_id":15683,"section_number":"45.2-1505","catch_line":" Health regulations","url":"\/45.2-1505\/","token":"45.2\/III\/C\/15\/45.2-1505","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":65350,"structure_id":15683,"section_number":"45.2-1500","catch_line":" Scope of chapter","url":"\/45.2-1500\/","token":"45.2\/III\/C\/15\/45.2-1500","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":82168,"structure_id":15683,"section_number":"45.2-1502","catch_line":" Standards for regulations","url":"\/45.2-1502\/","token":"45.2\/III\/C\/15\/45.2-1502","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/45.2-1501\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1994. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 28<\/a> 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. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1996, chapter 774<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 695<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":82168,"section_number":"45.2-1502","catch_line":" Standards for regulations","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1502\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":78729,"section_number":"2.2-4006","catch_line":"Exemptions from requirements of this article","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-4006\/"}],"permalink":{"id":224653,"object_type":"law","relational_id":64032,"identifier":"45.2-1501","token":"45.2\/III\/C\/15\/45.2-1501","url":"\/45.2-1501\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/45.2-1501\/","token":"45.2\/III\/C\/15\/45.2-1501","dublin_core":{"Title":" Regulations governing conditions and practices at surface mineral mines","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 45.2-1501","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Director<\/span> shall adopt, in accordance with Article 2 (\u00a7 2.2-4006<\/a> et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act, regulations necessary to ensure safe working conditions and practices at surface mineral mines in the Commonwealth. Nothing in this section shall restrict the Director<\/span> from adopting regulations more stringent than regulations adopted pursuant to the federal mine safety law<\/span>. Such regulations applicable to surface mineral mines shall establish requirements for the: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Protection of miners from general risks found at surface mineral mines; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Provision and use of personal protection equipment; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Control of unstable ground conditions; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Handling and storage of combustible materials<\/span>, including requirements for emergency plans, firefighting and emergency rescue, fire prevention and safety features on mine equipment, and fire prevention and safety in mine structures and buildings; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Control of exposure to airborne toxic contaminants; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Safe storage, transportation, and use of explosives and blasting devices; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Safe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of drilling equipment; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Construction, use, maintenance, and inspection of boilers, air compressors, and compressed gas systems; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> Safe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of mobile equipment; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> Safe design, use, maintenance, and inspection of ladders, walkways, and travel ways; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> Safe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of electrical equipment and systems; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> Safe design, use, maintenance, and inspection of guards on moving parts of equipment and machinery; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

13.<\/span> Safe storage, transportation, and handling of materials<\/span>, including corrosive and hazardous substances; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

14.<\/span> Safe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of hoisting equipment and cables; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

15.<\/span> Actions to be taken by certified and competent persons; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

16.<\/span> Design, construction, maintenance, and inspection of refuse piles and water and silt retaining dams, including emergency response plans. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Director<\/span> shall not adopt any regulation relating to surface mineral mines that is inconsistent with any requirement established by the Act or that, if an operator were to take action to comply with the provisions of such regulation, would place the operator in violation of the federal mine safety law<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n REGULATIONS GOVERNING CONDITIONS AND PRACTICES AT SURFACE MINERAL MINES (\u00a7\n45.2-1501)\n\nA. The Director shall adopt, in accordance with Article 2 (\u00a7 2.2-4006 et seq.)\nof the Administrative Process Act, regulations necessary to ensure safe working\nconditions and practices at surface mineral mines in the Commonwealth. Nothing\nin this section shall restrict the Director from adopting regulations more\nstringent than regulations adopted pursuant to the federal mine safety law. Such\nregulations applicable to surface mineral mines shall establish requirements for\nthe:\n\n 1. Protection of miners from general risks found at surface mineral mines;\n\n 2. Provision and use of personal protection equipment;\n\n 3. Control of unstable ground conditions;\n\n 4. Handling and storage of combustible materials, including requirements for\n emergency plans, firefighting and emergency rescue, fire prevention and safety\n features on mine equipment, and fire prevention and safety in mine structures\n and buildings;\n\n 5. Control of exposure to airborne toxic contaminants;\n\n 6. Safe storage, transportation, and use of explosives and blasting devices;\n\n 7. Safe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of drilling equipment;\n\n 8. Construction, use, maintenance, and inspection of boilers, air compressors,\n and compressed gas systems;\n\n 9. Safe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of mobile equipment;\n\n 10. Safe design, use, maintenance, and inspection of ladders, walkways, and\n travel ways;\n\n 11. Safe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of electrical\n equipment and systems;\n\n 12. Safe design, use, maintenance, and inspection of guards on moving parts of\n equipment and machinery;\n\n 13. Safe storage, transportation, and handling of materials, including\n corrosive and hazardous substances;\n\n 14. Safe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of hoisting equipment\n and cables;\n\n 15. Actions to be taken by certified and competent persons; and\n\n 16. Design, construction, maintenance, and inspection of refuse piles and\n water and silt retaining dams, including emergency response plans.\n\nB. The Director shall not adopt any regulation relating to surface mineral mines\nthat is inconsistent with any requirement established by the Act or that, if an\noperator were to take action to comply with the provisions of such regulation,\nwould place the operator in violation of the federal mine safety law.\n\nHISTORY: 1994, c. 28, \u00a7 45.1-161.305; 1996, c. 774; 1998, c. 695; 2021, Sp.\nSess. 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}}