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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>66755</law_id><section_number>45.2-726</section_number><catch_line> Mine openings</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>45.2-728</reference></referred_to_by><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="B">Underground Coal Mines</unit><unit label="chapter" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="7">Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Mine Construction</unit><unit label="article" level="5" order_by="1" identifier="6">Mine Openings and Escapeways</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Except as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title=" Number of miners in openings" href="/45.2-728/">45.2-728</a>, there shall be at least two travel ways, entries, or openings to the surface from each section of a mine worked. Each longwall <span class="dictionary">panel</span> shall be developed with at least three entries; however, if new technology becomes available pursuant to which a two-entry system can be safely developed, such technology may be used, with the approval of the <span class="dictionary">Chief</span>. <a id="paragraph-242101" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-726/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> One of the required travel ways may be the haulage road. <a id="paragraph-242102" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-726/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The first opening shall not be made through an adjoining mine. The second opening may be made through an adjoining mine. <a id="paragraph-242103" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-726/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> One of the required travel ways shall be designated as the primary escapeway and shall be in an intake airway. <a id="paragraph-242104" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-726/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Any surface structure where miners congregate or where the mine map or other official records are kept at the mine shall be offset at least 15 feet from the nearest side of any mine opening or otherwise located to be out of the zone of danger if an explosion occurs, unless otherwise approved by the <span class="dictionary">Chief</span>. <a id="paragraph-242105" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-726/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7;&#xA7; 45-71, 45-71.1; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, &#xA7;&#xA7; 45.1-94, 45.1-95; 1984, c. 228; 1985, c. 395; 1990, c. 372; 1992, c. 360; 1994, c. 28, &#xA7; 45.1-161.162; 1996, c. 774; 1999, c. 256; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
