reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 45.2-1154 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 11 - Mineral Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-1154. (Effective October 1, 2021) Duties of operator

A. Each operator of a mine, or his agent, shall furnish to the Director and each mine inspector proper facilities for entering such mine and making examinations or obtaining information and shall furnish any data or information not of a confidential nature requested by such inspector.B. Each operator of an underground mine, or his agent, shall provide each mine inspector adequate means for transportation to the active working areas of the mine within a reasonable time following the mine inspector's arrival at the mine.C. Such operator or agent shall, when ordered to do so by a mine inspector during the course of an inspection, promptly clear the mine or section thereof of all persons.1997, c. 390, § 45.1-161.292:60; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1155 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 11 - Mineral Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-1155. (Effective October 1, 2021) Duties of inspectors

A. During a complete inspection of any mine, other than an inactive mine, the mine inspector shall inspect, where applicable, the surface plant; all active workings; all active travel ways; entrances to abandoned areas; accessible worked-out areas; at least one entry of each intake and return airway in its entirety; escapeways and other places where miners work or travel or where hazardous conditions might exist; electric installations and equipment; haulage facilities; first aid equipment; ventilation facilities; communication installations; roof and rib conditions; roof-support practices; blasting practices; haulage practices and equipment; and any other condition, practice, or equipment pertaining to the health and safety of the miners. The mine inspector shall make tests for the quantity of air flows, and for oxygen deficiency and gas, in each place that he is required to inspect in an underground mine.B. In a mine that operates more than one shift in a 24-hour period, the mine inspector shall devote sufficient time on the second and third shifts to determine conditions and practices relating to the health and safety of the miners. For an inactive mine, the mine inspector shall inspect all areas of the mine where persons might work or travel during the period the mine is an inactive mine.C. The inspector shall make a personal examination of (i) the interior of each mine inspected and (ii) the outside of such mine where any danger to the miners might exist.1997, c. 390, § 45.1-161.292:61; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1156 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 11 - Mineral Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-1156. (Effective October 1, 2021) Certificates of inspection

A. Upon completing a mine inspection, each mine inspector shall complete a certificate of inspection. Such certificate of inspection shall show the date of inspection, the condition in which the mine was found, a statement regarding any violation of this chapter or Chapter 14 (§ 45.2-1400 et seq.) or 15 (§ 45.2-1500 et seq.) discovered during the inspection, the progress made in the improvement of the mine as such progress relates to health and safety, the numbers of accidents and injuries occurring in and about the mine since the previous inspection, and all other facts and information of public interest concerning the condition of the mine as are useful and proper.B. The mine inspector shall deliver one copy of the certificate of inspection to the licensed operator, agent, or mine foreman and one copy to the employees' safety committee, where applicable, and shall post copies at one or more prominent places on the premises where they can be read conveniently by the miners.C. The Department shall provide access to certificates of inspection of underground mineral mines to MSHA.1997, c. 390, § 45.1-161.292:62; 1998, c. 695; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1157 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 11 - Mineral Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-1157. (Effective October 1, 2021) Notices of violations

A. If the Director or a mine inspector has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of the Act has occurred, he shall with reasonable promptness issue a notice of violation to the person responsible for the violation. Each notice of violation shall be in writing, shall describe with particularity the nature of the violation, including a reference to the provision of the Mineral Mine Safety Act or the appropriate regulation violated, and shall include an order of abatement and set a reasonable time for abatement of the violation.B. A copy of the notice of violation shall be delivered to the licensed operator or his agent or the mine foreman and to any independent contractor whose employees were exposed to a hazard related to the violation.C. Upon a finding by the mine inspector of the completion of the action required to abate such violation, the Director or the mine inspector shall issue a notice of correction, a copy of which shall be delivered as provided in subsection B.D. The notice of violation shall be deemed the final order of the Department and shall not be subject to review by any court or agency unless, within 20 days following its issuance, the person to whom the notice of violation was issued appeals its issuance by notifying the Department in writing that he intends to contest its issuance. The Department shall conduct informal conference or consultation proceedings, presided over by the Director, pursuant to § 2.2-4019, unless the person and the Department agree to waive such a conference or proceeding to go directly to a formal hearing. If such a conference or proceeding is waived, or if it fails to dispose of the case by consent, the Department shall conduct a formal hearing pursuant to § 2.2-4020. The formal hearing shall be presided over by a hearing officer pursuant to § 2.2-4024, who shall recommend findings and an initial decision, which shall be subject to review and approval by the Director. Any party aggrieved by and claiming unlawfulness of such decision is entitled to judicial review pursuant to Article 5 (§ 2.2-4025 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.E. If it is finally determined that a notice of violation was not issued in accordance with the provisions of this section, such notice of violation shall be vacated and the improperly issued notice of violation shall not be used to the detriment of the person or the operator to whom it was issued.1997, c. 390, § 45.1-161.292:63; 1998, c. 695; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1159 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 11 - Mineral Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-1159. (Effective October 1, 2021) Tolling of time for abating violations

The period of time specified in a notice of violation for the abatement of the violation shall not begin to run until (i) the final decision of the Department is issued, if an administrative appeal of its issuance is pursued, or (ii) the final order of the circuit court is rendered, if an appeal of its issuance is taken to circuit court, provided that such appeal pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) was undertaken in good faith and not solely for delay or avoidance of penalties.1997, c. 390, § 45.1-161.292:65; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1160 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 11 - Mineral Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-1160. (Effective October 1, 2021) Injunctive relief

A. Any person violating or failing, neglecting, or refusing to obey a closure order may be compelled in a proceeding instituted by the Director in any appropriate circuit court to obey such order and to comply therewith by injunction or other appropriate relief.B. Any person failing to abate any violation of this chapter or Chapter 14 (§ 45.2-1400 et seq.) or 15 (§ 45.2-1500 et seq.) that has been cited in a notice of violation within the time period provided in such notice for its abatement may be compelled in a proceeding instituted by the Director in any appropriate circuit court to abate such violation as provided in such notice, and to cease the operation of the mine at which such violation exists until the violation has been abated, by injunction or other appropriate remedy.C. The Director may file a bill of complaint with any appropriate circuit court asking the court to temporarily or permanently enjoin a person from operating a mine in the Commonwealth or contracting for work at a mine in the Commonwealth, to be granted upon a finding by a preponderance of the evidence that (i) a history of noncompliance by the person demonstrates that he is not able or willing to operate in compliance with the provisions of the Act or (ii) a history of the issuance of closure orders to the person demonstrates that he is not able or willing to operate in compliance with the provisions of the Act.1997, c. 390, § 45.1-161.292:66; 1998, c. 695; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1161 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 11 - Mineral Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-1161. (Effective October 1, 2021) Violations; penalties

Any person convicted of willfully violating any provision of the Act, unless otherwise specified in the Act, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.1997, c. 390, § 45.1-161.292:67; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1162 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 11 - Mineral Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-1162. (Effective October 1, 2021) Prosecution of violations

A. It is the duty of every attorney for the Commonwealth to whom the Director or his authorized representative reports any violation of the Act, or on his own initiative, to cause proceedings to be prosecuted in such case.B. If the attorney for the Commonwealth declines to cause proceedings to be prosecuted in such case, the Director may request the Attorney General to institute proceedings for any violation of the Act on behalf of the Commonwealth. However, such action shall not preclude the Director from pursuing other applicable statutory procedures. Upon receiving such a request from the Director, the Attorney General may institute actions and proceedings for violations described in the request.1997, c. 390, § 45.1-161.292:68; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1163 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 11 - Mineral Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-1163. (Effective October 1, 2021) Fees and costs

No fees or costs shall be charged to the Commonwealth by a court or any officer for or in connection with the filing of any pleading or other papers in any action authorized by this article.1997, c. 390, § 45.1-161.292:69; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1164 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 11 - Mineral Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-1164. (Effective October 1, 2021) Reports of violations

A. Any person aware of a violation of this chapter or Chapter 14 (§ 45.2-1400 et seq.) or 15 (§ 45.2-1500 et seq.) may report the violation to a mine inspector or to any other employee of the Department, in person, in writing, or by telephone call, at the mine, at an office of the Department, or at the mine inspector's residence.B. Each operator, or his agent, shall deliver a copy of this chapter and Chapters 14 (§ 45.2-1400 et seq.) and 15 (§ 45.2-1500 et seq.) to each miner in his employ upon the commencement of the miner's work at a mine, unless the miner is already in possession of a copy.C. The licensed operator of each mine, or his agent, shall display on a sign placed at the mine office, at the bath house, and on a bulletin board at a prominent place at the mine site where it can be read conveniently by the miners, a notice containing the office and home telephone numbers of mine inspectors and other Department personnel, and office addresses, that may be used to report any violation of this chapter or Chapter 14 (§ 45.2-1400 et seq.) or 15 (§ 45.2-1500 et seq.).D. The Department shall keep a record, on a form prepared for such purpose, of every alleged violation of this chapter or Chapter 14 (§ 45.2-1400 et seq.) or 15 (§ 45.2-1500 et seq.) that is reported and the results of any investigation. The Department shall give a copy of the complaint form, with the identity of the person making the report omitted or deleted, to the licensed operator of the mine or his agent and to any independent contractor who is alleged to have committed the violation. The Department shall not disclose the identity of any person who reports an alleged violation to the owner or operator of the mine or his agent or to any other person or entity. Information regarding the identity of the person reporting a violation is excluded from the mandatory disclosure provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).1997, c. 390, § 45.1-161.292:70; 1998, c. 695; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1165 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 11 - Mineral Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-1165. (Effective October 1, 2021) Training programs

A. The Department may administer training programs for the purpose of (i) assisting with the provision of selected requirements of the federal mine safety law and (ii) preparing miners for examinations administered by the Department. The Director shall establish the curriculum and teaching materials for each training program, which shall be consistent with the requirements of the federal mine safety law where feasible.B. The Department is authorized to charge each person attending a training program reasonable fees to cover the costs of administering the program. The Director may exempt certain persons from any required fees for refresher training programs based on the person's employment status or any other criteria the Director deems appropriate. The Director shall not be required to allocate more of the Department's resources to training programs than are appropriated or otherwise made available for such purpose or are collected from fees charged to attendees.C. No miner, operator, or other person shall be required to participate in any training program established under this section. Nothing contained in this section shall prevent an operator or any other person from administering a state-approved training program.1997, c. 390, § 45.1-161.292:71; 1998, c. 695; 2012, cc. 803, 835; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1166 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 11 - Mineral Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-1166. (Effective October 1, 2021) Mineral mining safety training

The Director may implement a program of voluntary safety talks for mineral miners. Safety training may include topical training and talks conducted by inspectors or other Department personnel either on site or in a classroom provided for such purpose.1997, c. 390, § 45.1-161.292:72; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1167 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 11 - Mineral Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-1167. (Effective October 1, 2021) Mineral mining safety training programs

A. Each operator shall have a plan containing the following programs: training for new miners, training for experienced miners who are newly employed, training for miners for new tasks, annual refresher training, and hazard training. For the purpose of this section, the definition of miner does not include a scientific worker; delivery worker; customer, including a commercial over-the-road truck driver; vendor; or visitor.B. Such plan shall be available to the Director for review upon request.1998, c. 695, § 45.1-161.292:73; 2003, c. 401; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1200 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 12 - Permits for Certain Mining Operations; Reclamation of Land|§ 45.2-1200. (Effective October 1, 2021) Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:"Disturbed land" means the area from which overburden has been removed in any mining operation, plus the area covered by the spoil and refuse, plus any area used in such mining operation, including land used for processing, stockpiling, or settling ponds."Division" means the Division of Mineral Mining."Mineral" means ore, rock, and any other solid homogeneous crystalline chemical element or compound that results from the inorganic processes of nature other than coal."Mining" means the breaking or disturbing of the surface soil or rock in order to facilitate or accomplish the extraction or removal of minerals or any activity constituting all or part of a process for the extraction or removal of minerals so as to make them suitable for commercial, industrial, or construction use. "Mining" does not include (i) any aspect of deep mining that does not have a significant effect on the surface or (ii) excavation or grading when conducted solely in aid of onsite farming or construction. Nothing in this section applies to the mining of coal. "Mining" does not include, and this title, chapter, or section shall not be construed to apply to, the process of searching, prospecting, exploring, or investigating for minerals by drilling."Mining operation" means any area included in an approved plan of operation."Operator" means any individual, corporation or corporation officer, firm, joint venture, partnership, business trust, association, or any other group or combination acting as a unit, or any legal entity that is engaged in mining."Orphaned lands" means lands disturbed by surface mining of minerals, other than coal operations, that were not required by law to be reclaimed or that have not been reclaimed."Overburden" means all of the earth and other materials that lie above a natural deposit of minerals, ores, rock, or other solid matter and also other materials after removal from their natural deposit in the process of mining."Reclamation" means the restoration or conversion of disturbed land to a stable condition that minimizes or prevents adverse disruption and the injurious effects of such disruption and presents an opportunity for further productive use if such use is reasonable."Refuse" means all waste soil, rock, mineral tailings, slimes, and other material directly connected with the mine or with the cleaning and preparation of substances mined, including all waste material deposited in the permit area from other sources."Spoil" means any overburden or other material removed from its natural state in the process of mining.1968, c. 734, § 45.1-180; 1972, c. 206; 1974, c. 312; 1977, c. 312; 1984, c. 590; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1201 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 12 - Permits for Certain Mining Operations; Reclamation of Land|§ 45.2-1201. (Effective October 1, 2021) Construction of chapter

Nothing in this chapter is intended, nor shall anything in this chapter be construed, to limit, impair, abridge, create, enlarge, or otherwise affect, substantively or procedurally, the right of any person who is a party to any dispute involving property rights, or the right of any person to seek damages or other relief on account of injury to persons or property due to mining activities regulated by this chapter or to maintain any action or other appropriate procedure therefor. Nothing in this chapter is intended, nor shall anything in this chapter be construed, to affect the powers of the Commonwealth to initiate, prosecute, and maintain actions to abate public nuisances.1977, c. 312, § 45.1-180.2; 1984, c. 590; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1202 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 12 - Permits for Certain Mining Operations; Reclamation of Land|§ 45.2-1202. (Effective October 1, 2021) Authority of Director; enforcement of chapter by injunction

A. The Director may adopt regulations to effectuate the provisions and the policy of this chapter and may adopt definitions for use in interpreting this chapter.B. The Director may administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter. In administering and enforcing the provisions of this chapter pursuant to the findings and legislative policy adopted by the General Assembly, the Director shall exercise the following powers in addition to any other powers conferred upon him by law:1. Supervise the administration and enforcement of this chapter and all regulations and orders adopted thereunder;2. Issue orders to enforce the provisions of this chapter, all regulations adopted thereunder, and the terms and conditions of any permit;3. Make investigations and inspections to ensure compliance with any provision of this chapter or any regulation or order adopted thereunder;4. Encourage and conduct investigations, research, experiments, and demonstrations and collect and disseminate information relating to surface mining and reclamation of lands and waters affected by surface mining; and5. Receive any federal funds, state funds, or any other funds and enter into any contracts for which funds are available to carry out the purposes of this chapter.C. In addition to any administrative remedy granted herein, the Director may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an injunction against a violation of any provision of this chapter or any regulation or order adopted hereunder or to compel the performance of any act required by such provision, regulation, or order without regard to any adequate remedy that may exist at law, and such injunction shall be issued without bond. However, with regard to the suspension of mining operations, § 45.2-1225 shall control.1977, c. 312, § 45.1-180.3; 1984, c. 590; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1203 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 12 - Permits for Certain Mining Operations; Reclamation of Land|§ 45.2-1203. (Effective October 1, 2021) Exemption for restricted mining

Any operator engaged in mining who disturbs less than one acre of land and removes less than 500 tons of minerals at any particular site is exempt from all mining permit fees, renewal fees, and bond requirements of this chapter if such person intending to engage in such restricted mining submits an application for a permit, a sketch of the mining site, and an operations plan to be adhered to in accordance with §§ 45.2-1205 and 45.2-1206. The Director shall approve the application if he determines that the issuance of the permit will not violate any provision of this chapter.1977, c. 312, § 45.1-180.4; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1204 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 12 - Permits for Certain Mining Operations; Reclamation of Land|§ 45.2-1204. (Effective October 1, 2021) Permit Fee Fund

There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Permit Fee Fund, referred to in this section as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All permit fees and renewal fees collected pursuant to § 45.2-1205 shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purpose of the administration of this chapter. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director.2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.