Bill Text: VA HB84 | 2024 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Mineral mining and exploration; public notification.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-1)
Status: (Engrossed) 2024-02-20 - Passed by indefinitely in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (10-Y 5-N) [HB84 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HB84-Engrossed.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 45.2 a chapter numbered 13.1, consisting of sections numbered 45.2-1305 and 45.2-1306, as follows:
§45.2-1305. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Exploration activity" means the drilling of test holes or stratigraphic or core holes, or other ground disturbing geophysical activities for the purpose of determining the location, quantity, or quality of minerals [ for the purposes of mineral mining, excluding materials extracted for the primary purpose of building and road construction ] .
"Explorer" 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 plans to engage in or is engaged in exploration activity.
"Mineral" means ore, rock, and any other solid homogenous crystalline chemical element or compound other than coal that results from the inorganic processes of nature.
§45.2-1306. Public Notification of Mineral Exploration Activity.
Prior to the start of any exploration activity, an explorer, in addition to any qualifications otherwise required by law, shall:
1. Publish a notice in a newspaper having a general circulation in the locality where the exploration activity will occur at least once a week for two consecutive weeks;
2. Notify the governing body of such locality at least 15 days in advance of such activity; and
3. Notify all individual residences and properties within 500 yards of the property lines where the exploration activity will take place at least 15 days in advance of such activity.
Such notices shall include (i) the name and address of the explorer, (ii) a description of the intended exploration activity, (iii) the area of the intended exploration activity, (iv) the start date of the exploration activity, and (v) the address and phone number of a person from whom further information about the exploration activity may be obtained.
