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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>55202</law_id><section_number>45.2-1222</section_number><catch_line> Interference with reclamation unlawful; other mining operations on land</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="2">Regulation of Mining Activity</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>It is unlawful for any owner of surface rights or <span class="dictionary">mineral</span> rights to interfere with the <span class="dictionary">operator</span> in the discharge of his obligations to the Commonwealth for the <span class="dictionary">reclamation</span> of lands disturbed by him. If an owner of surface rights or <span class="dictionary">mineral</span> rights desires to conduct other <span class="dictionary">mining operations</span> on lands disturbed by the <span class="dictionary">operator</span> furnishing <span class="dictionary">bond</span> pursuant to this chapter, such owner or other person shall be in all respects subject to the provisions of this chapter and the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> shall then release an equivalent amount of <span class="dictionary">bonds</span> to the <span class="dictionary">operator</span> originally furnishing <span class="dictionary">bond</span> on the disturbed area.</p></section></text><history>1968, c. 734, &#xA7; 45.1-188; 1974, c. 312; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
