A. In a drift or slope mine, openings shall be separated by at least 50 feet of natural strata, unless specifically approved in the roof control plan. All connections between openings not used for the coursing of air, travel, or haulage shall be closed with stoppings of fireproof material.
B. In a shaft mine, openings shall be separated by at least 200 feet of natural strata.
Code 1950, § 45-71; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-94; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.163; 2005, c. 3; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy
Chapter 7 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Mine Construction
§ 45.2-701. Regulations governing conditions and practices at underground coal mines
§ 45.2-702. Standards for regulations
§ 45.2-703. Duties of mine foreman
§ 45.2-704. Employment and duties of top persons; plan for excavation of shaft or slope
§ 45.2-705. Employment of inexperienced underground miners
§ 45.2-706. Employment of authorized persons
§ 45.2-707. Mining in proximity to gas or oil wells
§ 45.2-708. Mining in proximity to an abandoned area
§ 45.2-709. Roof, face, and ribs to be secure
§ 45.2-710. Roof control plans
§ 45.2-711. Instruction of miners
§ 45.2-713. Automated temporary roof support systems
§ 45.2-714. Supplies of materials for supports
§ 45.2-715. Examination and testing of roof, face, and ribs
§ 45.2-716. Mapping of roof falls
§ 45.2-718. Removal of supports
§ 45.2-719. Surface storage of explosives and detonators
§ 45.2-720. Underground transportation of explosives and detonators
§ 45.2-721. Underground storage of explosives and detonators
§ 45.2-722. Blasting practices; penalty
§ 45.2-725. Explosives and blasting practices in shaft and slope operations
§ 45.2-727. Separation of openings
§ 45.2-728. Number of miners in openings
§ 45.2-729. Maintenance of mine openings
§ 45.2-730. Signs, life lines, and equipment
§ 45.2-731. Examination of escapeways
§ 45.2-732. Longwall escape routes and plan
§ 45.2-735. Hoisting equipment
§ 45.2-738. Shaft and slope conditions
§ 45.2-739. Signaling; signal code
§ 45.2-740. Inspections of hoisting equipment
§ 45.2-741. Hoisting engineers
§ 45.2-742. Operations of hoisting equipment
§ 45.2-743. Maintenance of hoisting equipment
§ 45.2-745. Track switches and rails
§ 45.2-746. Clearance on haulage roads
§ 45.2-747. Conveyor crossings
§ 45.2-749. Refuge from moving traffic
§ 45.2-750. Inspection of underground equipment
§ 45.2-751. Maintenance of equipment
§ 45.2-752. Self-propelled equipment
§ 45.2-754. Transportation of material
§ 45.2-758. Operation of equipment
§ 45.2-760. Availability of mantrips
§ 45.2-762. Mantrip loading and unloading areas
§ 45.2-763. Transporting miners by conveyor belt
§ 45.2-764. Housekeeping; noxious fumes
§ 45.2-766. Flammable or combustible materials
§ 45.2-767. Hazardous crane operations
§ 45.2-768. Controlling dust at the surface
§ 45.2-769. Scaffolding and overhead protection
§ 45.2-770. Welding and cutting
§ 45.2-771. Fire prevention and fire control