293.010. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, asused in this chapter, the following terms have the followingmeanings:
(1) "Adit", any practically horizontal way in or to amineral deposit to be used for the same purposes as a shaft;
(2) "Coal mine", any strip mine or underground excavationfrom which coal or lignite is extracted for commercial purposesand including the mining plant and all parts of the property ofsuch mine, on the surface or underground;
(3) "Director", the director of the division of mineinspection of the state of Missouri;
(4) "Mine inspectors", those persons employed by thedivision of mine inspection, including the director, who arecharged with the inspection of coal and noncoal mines in thisstate;
(5) "Mineral", any metalliferous element or ore, coal orlignite, or any nonmetalliferous element or ore, except barite,marble, limestone, and sand and gravel;
(6) "Noncoal mine", any open pit or underground excavationfrom which minerals, as defined in this section, except coal areextracted for commercial purposes, including the mining plant andall parts of the property of such mine, on the surface orunderground;
(7) "Operator", the person, firm, or body corporate who orwhich is the immediate proprietor, as owner or lessee, of themine and, as such, responsible for the condition and managementthereof;
(8) "Shaft", any vertical or near-vertical opening throughthe strata which is to be used for ventilation or escapement, orfor the hoisting and lowering of men, ore or material inconnection with the mining of minerals;
(9) "Slope", any inclined shaft or way in or to a mineraldeposit to be used for the same purposes as a shaft;
(10) "Strip mine", any excavation in which thesuperincumbent strata are removed, exposing the mineral so thatit may be extracted and loaded by hand or mechanical equipment inopen working;
(11) "Working place", any room, face, crosscut, or pillarwhere a mineral is being mined or extracted and where one or moreminers per working shift of the mine are regularly employed untilthe place is stopped.
(L. 1959 S.B. 188 ยง 1)