The purposes of this chapter are to provide that:

(1) the usefulness, productivity, and scenic values of all lands and waters involved in mining within the State receive the greatest practical degree of protection and restoration;

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 48-20-20

  • Land: includes submerged lands underlying a river, stream, lake, sound, or other body of water and specifically includes, among others, estuarine and tidal lands. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40
  • Mining: means :

    (a) the breaking of the surface soil to facilitate or accomplish the extraction or removal of ores or mineral solids for sale or processing or consumption in the regular operation of a business;

    (b) removal of overburden lying above natural deposits of ore or mineral solids and removal of the mineral deposits exposed, or by removal of ores or mineral solids from deposits lying exposed in their natural state. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40
  • Reclamation: means the reasonable rehabilitation of the affected land for useful purposes and the protection of the natural resources of the surrounding area. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40

(2) no mining may be carried on in the State unless plans for the mining include reasonable provisions for protection of the surrounding environment and for reclamation of the area of land affected by mining.

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