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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>56460</law_id><section_number>45.2-541</section_number><catch_line> Discontinuance of the working of a mine; notices to Department; resumption of mining following discontinuance</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="II">Coal Mining</unit><unit label="part" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="A">Coal Mines Generally</unit><unit label="chapter" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="5">Coal Mine Safety Act</unit><unit label="article" level="5" order_by="1" identifier="4">Licensing for Operation of Coal Mines</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The operator or his agent shall send notice of his <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to discontinue the working of an underground coal mine for a period of 30 days or a surface mine for a period of 60 days to the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> at least 10 days prior to discontinuing the working of a mine with such <span class="dictionary">intent</span> or at any time a mine becomes an inactive mine. Unless examinations of the mine are being conducted during the period of discontinued use, all surface openings to the discontinued underground coal mine shall be secured against unauthorized entrance when the activities are discontinued for 30 days or longer. Danger signs shall be posted at each secured entrance. <a id="paragraph-206706" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-541/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The operator or his agent shall send to the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> 10 days&#x2019; prior notice of <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to resume the working of an inactive mine. The production of coal at such mine shall not resume until a mine inspector has inspected and approved it for resumption of production activities. <a id="paragraph-206707" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-541/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Emergency actions necessary to preserve a mine may be undertaken without the prior notice of <span class="dictionary">intent</span> and advance inspection required by subsection B. In such event, a mine <span class="dictionary">foreman</span> shall examine a mine for hazardous conditions immediately before miners are permitted to work. The operator or his agent shall notify the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> as soon as possible after commencing emergency action necessary to preserve the mine. <a id="paragraph-206708" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-541/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The operator or his agent shall send to the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> 10 days&#x2019; prior notice of any change in the name of a mine or in the name of the operator of a mine. <a id="paragraph-206709" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-541/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> The operator or his agent shall send to the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> 10 days&#x2019; prior notice of the opening of a new mine. <a id="paragraph-206710" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-541/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> Any notice required by this section shall be in writing and shall include the name of the mine, the location of the mine, the name of the operator, and the operator&#x2019;s mailing address and email address. <a id="paragraph-206711" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-541/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7;&#xA7; 45-7, 45-12, 45-68.4, 45-69, 45-73, 45-75, 45-78, 45-79, 45-81, 45-83; 1950, p. 156; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, &#xA7; 45.1-21; 1976, c. 598; 1978, cc. 222, 489; 1982, c. 255; 1984, cc. 178, 590; 1988, c. 577; 1993, cc. 171, 442; 1994, c. 28, &#xA7; 45.1-161.63; 1996, c. 774; 1997, c. 390; 1999, c. 256; 2005, c. 3; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
