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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>81350</law_id><section_number>45.2-1302</section_number><catch_line> Examination of dams and mine refuse piles; potentially hazardous conditions; plans to be submitted by licensed operators</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="13">Mineral Mining Retaining Dams; Adjacent Owners</unit><unit label="article" level="5" order_by="1" identifier="1">Mineral Mining Retaining Dams and Refuse Piles</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Every <span class="dictionary">water</span>-retaining or <span class="dictionary">silt</span>-retaining dam or mine <span class="dictionary">refuse</span> pile shall be examined daily for visible structural weakness, volume overload, and other hazards by a qualified person designated by the licensed operator. When rising <span class="dictionary">water</span> and <span class="dictionary">silt</span> reaches 80 percent by volume of the safe design capacity of the dam or pile, such examination shall be made more often as required by the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> or his designated agent. Frequent examinations shall be made during periods of rainfall that could create flooding conditions. <a id="paragraph-291546" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1302/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> When a potentially hazardous condition exists, the operator shall initiate procedures to: <a id="paragraph-291547" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1302/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Remove all persons from the area that can reasonably be expected to be affected by such potentially hazardous condition; <a id="paragraph-291548" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1302/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Eliminate such potentially hazardous condition; and <a id="paragraph-291549" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1302/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Notify the <span class="dictionary">Director</span>. <a id="paragraph-291550" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1302/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Records of the inspections required by subsection A shall be kept and certified by the licensed operator or his agent. Such records shall be kept on the surface at the office or designated station of the mine. <a id="paragraph-291551" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1302/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The licensed operator of each mineral mine on which a <span class="dictionary">water</span>-retaining or <span class="dictionary">silt</span>-retaining dam is located shall adopt a plan for carrying out the requirements of subsections A and B. The plan shall be submitted for approval to the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> and shall include: <a id="paragraph-291552" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1302/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> A schedule and procedures for the inspection of the retaining dam by a qualified person; <a id="paragraph-291553" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1302/#D1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Procedures for evaluating any potentially hazardous condition; <a id="paragraph-291554" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1302/#D2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Procedures for removing all persons from the area that may reasonably be expected to be affected by such potentially hazardous condition; <a id="paragraph-291555" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1302/#D3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Procedures for eliminating such potentially hazardous condition; <a id="paragraph-291556" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1302/#D4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Procedures for notifying the <span class="dictionary">Director</span>; and <a id="paragraph-291557" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1302/#D5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Any additional information that may be required by the <span class="dictionary">Director</span>. <a id="paragraph-291558" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1302/#D6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Before making any change or modification in the plan approved in accordance with subsection D, the licensed operator shall obtain approval of such change or modification from the <span class="dictionary">Director</span>. <a id="paragraph-291559" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1302/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1997, c. 390, &#xA7; 45.1-225.2; 1998, c. 695; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
