No owner or tenant of any land containing coal within the Commonwealth shall open or sink, dig, excavate, or work in any mine on such land within five feet of the line dividing such land from that of another person without the written consent of every person interested in or having title to such adjoining lands or mineral rights in possession, reversion, or remainder, or of the guardian of any such person if the person is under a disability. Any person who violates this section shall forfeit $500 to any person injured by such activity and to anyone whose consent is required but not obtained.
Code 1950, § 45-91; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-102; 1978, c. 118; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.310; 1997, c. 390; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy
Chapter 6 - Coal Mining Property, Interests, Adjacent Owners, and Dams
§ 45.2-600. Consent required before working mine near land of another
§ 45.2-601. Adjacent owner to be permitted to survey mine; proceedings to compel entry for survey
§ 45.2-602. Petition to establish a trust for missing coal owners
§ 45.2-603. Advertisement upon filing of petition
§ 45.2-604. Court may declare trust; trustee sale of lease
§ 45.2-605. Duty of trustee; sale of lease; distribution of funds
§ 45.2-606. Payment of attorney fees, expenses, and court costs
§ 45.2-609. Interruption of public uses; proclamation of emergency; seizure
§ 45.2-610. Additional powers of Governor to operate seized properties
§ 45.2-612. Negotiating purchase or lease of coal properties
§ 45.2-613. Proceedings for condemnation
§ 45.2-614. Expense of acquiring and operating coal property; funds derived from operation
§ 45.2-615. Restoration of property to owner or operator