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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>71828</law_id><section_number>45.2-1202</section_number><catch_line> Authority of Director; enforcement of chapter by injunction</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="45.2">Mines, Minerals, and Energy</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Mineral Mines</unit><unit label="part" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="A">Mineral Mines Generally</unit><unit label="chapter" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="12">Permits for Certain Mining Operations; Reclamation of Land</unit><unit label="article" level="5" order_by="1" identifier="1">General Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Director</span> may adopt regulations to effectuate the provisions and the policy of this chapter and may adopt definitions for use in interpreting this chapter. <a id="paragraph-258771" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1202/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Director</span> may administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter. In administering and enforcing the provisions of this chapter pursuant to the <span class="dictionary">findings</span> and legislative policy adopted by the General Assembly, the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> shall exercise the following powers in addition to any other powers conferred upon him by <span class="dictionary">law</span>: <a id="paragraph-258772" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1202/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Supervise the administration and enforcement of this chapter and all regulations and <span class="dictionary">orders</span> adopted thereunder; <a id="paragraph-258773" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1202/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> <span class="dictionary">Issue</span> <span class="dictionary">orders</span> to enforce the provisions of this chapter, all regulations adopted thereunder, and the terms and conditions of any permit; <a id="paragraph-258774" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1202/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Make investigations and inspections to ensure compliance with any provision of this chapter or any regulation or <span class="dictionary">order</span> adopted thereunder; <a id="paragraph-258775" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1202/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Encourage and conduct investigations, research, experiments, and demonstrations and collect and disseminate information relating to surface <span class="dictionary">mining</span> and <span class="dictionary">reclamation</span> of lands and waters affected by surface <span class="dictionary">mining</span>; and <a id="paragraph-258776" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1202/#B4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Receive any federal funds, state funds, or any other funds and enter into any <span class="dictionary">contracts</span> for which funds are available to carry out the purposes of this chapter. <a id="paragraph-258777" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1202/#B5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> In addition to any administrative remedy granted herein, the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> may <span class="dictionary">petition</span> any <span class="dictionary">court</span> of competent <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> for an <span class="dictionary">injunction</span> against a violation of any provision of this chapter or any regulation or <span class="dictionary">order</span> adopted hereunder or to compel the performance of any act required by such provision, regulation, or <span class="dictionary">order</span> without regard to any adequate remedy that may exist at <span class="dictionary">law</span>, and such <span class="dictionary">injunction</span> shall be issued without <span class="dictionary">bond</span>. However, with regard to the suspension of <span class="dictionary">mining operations</span>, &#xA7; <a class="law" title=" Injunction prohibiting mining operation" href="/45.2-1225/">45.2-1225</a> shall control. <a id="paragraph-258778" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1202/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1977, c. 312, &#xA7; 45.1-180.3; 1984, c. 590; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
