{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/45.2-402.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/45.2-402.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/45.2-402.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/45.2-402.html"}],"law_id":58919,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58919,"structure_id":15467,"section_number":"45.2-402","catch_line":" Presumption regarding use of underground space","history":"1981, c. 291, \u00a7 55-154.2; 2012, c. 695; 2019, c. 712, \u00a7 45.1-161.311:10; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","full_text":"A\n\nExcept as otherwise provided in the deed by which the owner of minerals derives title, the owner of minerals shall be presumed to be the owner of the shell, container chamber, passage, or space opened underground for the removal of the minerals, with full right to haul and transport minerals from other lands and to pass people, materials, equipment, water, and air through such space. No injunction shall lie to prohibit the use of any such shell, container chamber, passage, or space opened underground by the owner of minerals for any such purpose. The provisions of this subsection shall not affect any contractual obligation or agreement entered into prior to July 1, 1981.B\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, with respect to the coal mineral estate, unless expressly excepted by the instrument creating the mineral ownership or lease interest, the owner or, if leased, the lessee of the coal mineral estate or its successor, assign, sublessee, or affiliate retains the right to any coal remaining in place after the removal of surrounding coal, as well as the right to use the shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened underground that was created by the removal of the coal.1\n\nAny such shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened underground that is within the boundaries of a mine permit issued under this title may be used consistent with state and federal regulations for any activity related to removal of coal from any lands for which a permit to mine coal has been approved, and no injunction shall lie to prohibit such use.2\n\nAny such shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened underground that is located in a sealed mine for which a mining permit no longer exists may be used consistent with state and federal regulations for any activity related to removal of coal from any lands for which a permit to mine coal has been approved only with the consent of the owner of such shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void. Such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld if the owner has been offered reasonable compensation for such use. In determining whether an offer of compensation is reasonable, a court shall be guided by the compensation set forth in other leases for the use of mine voids as is customary in the area.C\n\nNo provision of subdivision B 1 or 2 shall (i) affect any provision contained in any contract in effect as of July 1, 2012, expressly prohibiting the use of any shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened underground that was created by the removal of the coal; (ii) alter any contract entered into prior to July 1, 2012, that provides for the payment of compensation from the lessee to the lessor expressly for the use of any shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened underground that was created by the removal of the coal; or (iii) have any bearing on or application to any determination of ownership rights in natural gas or coalbed methane.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":216026,"text":"Except as otherwise provided in the deed by which the owner of minerals derives title, the owner of minerals shall be presumed to be the owner of the shell, container chamber, passage, or space opened underground for the removal of the minerals, with full right to haul and transport minerals from other lands and to pass people, materials, equipment, water, and air through such space. No injunction shall lie to prohibit the use of any such shell, container chamber, passage, or space opened underground by the owner of minerals for any such purpose. The provisions of this subsection shall not affect any contractual obligation or agreement entered into prior to July 1, 1981.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":216027,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, with respect to the coal mineral estate, unless expressly excepted by the instrument creating the mineral ownership or lease interest, the owner or, if leased, the lessee of the coal mineral estate or its successor, assign, sublessee, or affiliate retains the right to any coal remaining in place after the removal of surrounding coal, as well as the right to use the shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened underground that was created by the removal of the coal.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":216028,"text":"Any such shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened underground that is within the boundaries of a mine permit issued under this title may be used consistent with state and federal regulations for any activity related to removal of coal from any lands for which a permit to mine coal has been approved, and no injunction shall lie to prohibit such use.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":216029,"text":"Any such shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened underground that is located in a sealed mine for which a mining permit no longer exists may be used consistent with state and federal regulations for any activity related to removal of coal from any lands for which a permit to mine coal has been approved only with the consent of the owner of such shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void. Such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld if the owner has been offered reasonable compensation for such use. In determining whether an offer of compensation is reasonable, a court shall be guided by the compensation set forth in other leases for the use of mine voids as is customary in the area.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"C"},"4":{"id":216030,"text":"No provision of subdivision B 1 or 2 shall (i) affect any provision contained in any contract in effect as of July 1, 2012, expressly prohibiting the use of any shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened underground that was created by the removal of the coal; (ii) alter any contract entered into prior to July 1, 2012, that provides for the payment of compensation from the lessee to the lessor expressly for the use of any shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened underground that was created by the removal of the coal; or (iii) have any bearing on or application to any determination of ownership rights in natural gas or coalbed methane.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B2"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15467,"edition_id":1,"name":"Presumptions Regarding Ownership","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13804,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:55:15","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:55:15","permalink":{"id":222633,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15467,"identifier":"4","token":"45.2\/I\/4","url":"\/45.2\/I\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13804,"edition_id":1,"name":"Administration","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12713,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:55","permalink":{"id":222541,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13804,"identifier":"I","token":"45.2\/I","url":"\/45.2\/I\/","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":84161,"structure_id":15467,"section_number":"45.2-400","catch_line":" Presumption that no coal, minerals, ore, or oil exists in certain lands","url":"\/45.2-400\/","token":"45.2\/I\/4\/45.2-400","metadata":false},{"id":86033,"structure_id":15467,"section_number":"45.2-401","catch_line":" Actions to extinguish certain claims","url":"\/45.2-401\/","token":"45.2\/I\/4\/45.2-401","metadata":false},{"id":58919,"structure_id":15467,"section_number":"45.2-402","catch_line":" Presumption regarding use of underground space","url":"\/45.2-402\/","token":"45.2\/I\/4\/45.2-402","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":86033,"structure_id":15467,"section_number":"45.2-401","catch_line":" Actions to extinguish certain claims","url":"\/45.2-401\/","token":"45.2\/I\/4\/45.2-401","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/45.2-402\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1981. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 291 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 1981 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. 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 2012, chapter 695<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 712<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":222643,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58919,"identifier":"45.2-402","token":"45.2\/I\/4\/45.2-402","url":"\/45.2-402\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/45.2-402\/","token":"45.2\/I\/4\/45.2-402","dublin_core":{"Title":" Presumption regarding use of underground space","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 45.2-402","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Except as otherwise provided in the deed by which the owner of minerals derives title, the owner of minerals shall be presumed to be the owner of the shell, container chamber, passage, or space opened underground for the removal of the minerals, with full right to haul and transport minerals from other lands and to pass people, materials<\/span>, equipment, water, and air through such space. No injunction<\/span> shall lie to prohibit the use of any such shell, container chamber, passage, or space opened underground by the owner of minerals for any such purpose. The provisions of this subsection shall not affect any contractual obligation or agreement entered into prior to July 1, 1981. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, with respect to the coal mineral estate, unless expressly excepted by the instrument creating the mineral ownership or lease interest, the owner or, if leased, the lessee of the coal mineral estate or its successor, assign, sublessee, or affiliate retains the right to any coal remaining in place after the removal of surrounding coal, as well as the right to use the shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened underground that was created by the removal of the coal. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Any such shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened underground that is within the boundaries of a mine permit issued under this title may be used consistent with state and federal regulations for any activity related to removal of coal from any lands for which a permit to mine coal has been approved, and no injunction<\/span> shall lie to prohibit such use. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Any such shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened underground that is located in a sealed<\/span> mine for which a mining permit no longer exists may be used consistent with state and federal regulations for any activity related to removal of coal from any lands for which a permit to mine coal has been approved only with the consent of the owner of such shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void. Such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld if the owner has been offered reasonable compensation for such use. In determining whether an offer of compensation is reasonable, a court<\/span> shall be guided by the compensation set forth in other leases for the use of mine voids as is customary in the area. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> No provision of subdivision B 1 or 2 shall (i) affect any provision contained in any contract<\/span> in effect as of July 1, 2012, expressly prohibiting the use of any shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened underground that was created by the removal of the coal; (ii) alter any contract<\/span> entered into prior to July 1, 2012, that provides for the payment of compensation from the lessee to the lessor expressly for the use of any shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened underground that was created by the removal of the coal; or (iii) have any bearing on or application to any determination of ownership rights in natural gas or coalbed methane. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n PRESUMPTION REGARDING USE OF UNDERGROUND SPACE (\u00a7 45.2-402)\n\nA. Except as otherwise provided in the deed by which the owner of minerals\nderives title, the owner of minerals shall be presumed to be the owner of the\nshell, container chamber, passage, or space opened underground for the removal\nof the minerals, with full right to haul and transport minerals from other lands\nand to pass people, materials, equipment, water, and air through such space. No\ninjunction shall lie to prohibit the use of any such shell, container chamber,\npassage, or space opened underground by the owner of minerals for any such\npurpose. The provisions of this subsection shall not affect any contractual\nobligation or agreement entered into prior to July 1, 1981.\n\nB. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, with respect to the coal\nmineral estate, unless expressly excepted by the instrument creating the mineral\nownership or lease interest, the owner or, if leased, the lessee of the coal\nmineral estate or its successor, assign, sublessee, or affiliate retains the\nright to any coal remaining in place after the removal of surrounding coal, as\nwell as the right to use the shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void\nopened underground that was created by the removal of the coal.\n\n 1. Any such shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened\n underground that is within the boundaries of a mine permit issued under this\n title may be used consistent with state and federal regulations for any\n activity related to removal of coal from any lands for which a permit to mine\n coal has been approved, and no injunction shall lie to prohibit such use.\n\n 2. Any such shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened\n underground that is located in a sealed mine for which a mining permit no\n longer exists may be used consistent with state and federal regulations for\n any activity related to removal of coal from any lands for which a permit to\n mine coal has been approved only with the consent of the owner of such shell,\n container chamber, passage, space, or void. Such consent shall not be\n unreasonably withheld if the owner has been offered reasonable compensation\n for such use. In determining whether an offer of compensation is reasonable, a\n court shall be guided by the compensation set forth in other leases for the\n use of mine voids as is customary in the area.\n\nC. No provision of subdivision B 1 or 2 shall (i) affect any provision contained\nin any contract in effect as of July 1, 2012, expressly prohibiting the use of\nany shell, container chamber, passage, space, or void opened underground that\nwas created by the removal of the coal; (ii) alter any contract entered into\nprior to July 1, 2012, that provides for the payment of compensation from the\nlessee to the lessor expressly for the use of any shell, container chamber,\npassage, space, or void opened underground that was created by the removal of\nthe coal; or (iii) have any bearing on or application to any determination of\nownership rights in natural gas or coalbed methane.\n\nHISTORY: 1981, c. 291, \u00a7 55-154.2; 2012, c. 695; 2019, c. 712, \u00a7\n45.1-161.311:10; 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}}