Whenever an explorer engages in exploration without obtaining a certificate of exploration, or whenever an operator engages in mining without obtaining a valid operating permit or conducts mining outside of the permitted land or does not comply with the approved reclamation plan and schedule following termination of mining, the department may issue an immediate cease and desist order. A cease and desist order also may be issued against an operator who is engaged in mining before his receipt of written notification from the department that he is eligible to mine under the authority of a general permit for areas over two acres, or for not complying with the requirements of the general permit during mining. In addition to the issuance of the order, the department may seek a restraining order or injunction pursuant to § 48-20-230.

Whenever an explorer engages in exploration without obtaining a certificate of exploration, or whenever an operator conducts mining without a valid operating permit or conducts mining outside of the permitted land or does not comply with the approved reclamation plan and schedule following termination of mining, the explorer or operator may be subject to a civil penalty assessed by the department of not more than one thousand dollars for each offense. Civil penalties may be levied against an operator who is engaged in mining before his receipt of written notification from the department that he is eligible to mine under the authority of a general permit or for not complying with the requirements of the general permit during mining. Each day of continued violation after issuance of a cease and desist order may be considered a further and separate offense. The severity of the violation, the need to deter future violations, and the magnitude of potential or actual gains resulting from the violation must be considered in determining the amount of the civil penalty. Orders and penalties issued pursuant to this section may be appealed under § 48-20-190.

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 48-20-220

  • Department: means the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40
  • Exploration: means the act of breaking the surface soil to determine the location, quantity, or quality of a mineral deposit. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40
  • Explorer: means a person engaged in exploration activities, as defined in this section, whether individually, jointly, or through subsidiaries, agents, employees, or contractors. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40
  • Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
  • 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
  • Operating permit: means a permit for mining activity that is issued to an operator by the department. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40
  • Operator: means a person engaged in mining operations, whether individually, jointly, or through subsidiaries, agents, employees, or contractors. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40
  • Permitted land: means the affected land in addition to (a) lands identified for future mining to become affected land; (b) an undisturbed or buffer area that is or may become adjacent to the affected land. 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
  • Reclamation plan: means the operator's written proposal as required and approved by the department for reclamation of the affected land, which includes but is not limited to:

    (a) proposed practices to protect adjacent surface resources;

    (b) specifications for surface gradient restoration, including sketches delineating slope angle, to a surface suitable for the proposed subsequent use of the land after reclamation is completed, and the proposed method of accomplishment;

    (c) manner and type of revegetation or other surface treatment of the affected areas;

    (d) method of prevention or elimination of conditions that are hazardous to animal or fish life in or adjacent to the area;

    (e) method of compliance with state air and water pollution laws;

    (f) proposed methods to limit significant adverse effects on adjacent surface water and groundwater resources;

    (g) proposed methods to limit significant adverse effects on significant cultural or historic sites;

    (h) method of rehabilitation of settling ponds;

    (i) method of control of contaminants and disposal of mining refuse;

    (j) method of restoration or establishment of stream channels and stream banks to a condition minimizing erosion, siltation, and other pollution;

    (k) maps and other supporting documents reasonably required by the department; and

    (l) a time schedule, including the anticipated years for completion of reclamation by segments, that meets the requirements of § 48-20-90. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40
  • Termination of mining: means cessation of mining operations or a segment of a mining operation with intent not to resume, or cessation of mining operations or a segment of a mining operation as a result of revocation of an operating permit. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40
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