Beginning April 1, 1997, an owner or operator of a new exploration operation or new mining unit shall not create a surface disturbance of more than five contiguous acres until a reclamation plan and financial assurance mechanism for the exploration operation or mining unit are approved by the state mine inspector or are otherwise authorized by this chapter.

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Terms Used In Arizona Laws 27-921

  • Inspector: means the state mine inspector. See Arizona Laws 27-901
  • Mining unit: means an individual portion of a mining facility that encompasses one or more surface disturbances. See Arizona Laws 27-901
  • New exploration operation: means an exploration operation that begins after the effective date of the initial rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. See Arizona Laws 27-901
  • Reclamation: means measures that are taken on surface disturbances at exploration operations and mining units to achieve stability and safety consistent with post-mining land use objectives specified in the reclamation plan. See Arizona Laws 27-901
  • Surface disturbance: means clearing, covering or moving land by means of mechanized earth-moving equipment for mineral exploration, development and production purposes but does not include surveying, assessment and location work, seismic work, maintenance and other such activities that create a de minimis disturbance. See Arizona Laws 27-901