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.

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
  Previous section
Next section  
 Article 2 Contents