§ 74-76. Definitions. - North Carolina Statutes

§74‑76.  Definitions.

Wherever used or referred toin this Article, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

(1)        "Commission"means the Mining Commission created by G.S. 143B‑290.

(2)        "Department"means the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

(3)        "Explorationactivity" means (i) the breaking of the surface soil in order to locate anatural deposit of uranium and to determine its quality and quantity or (ii)any activity that is directly connected with the breaking of the surface soiland that is undertaken to facilitate or accomplish the location and analysis ofa uranium deposit. Exploration activity does not include an insignificantbreaking of the surface soil and extraction of samples by hand tools forexploration purposes. This Article shall in no way limit or restrict toapplicability of the Mining Act of 1971 to any activity that satisfies thedefinition of mining in that act.

(4)        "Land"includes submerged, tidal and estuarine lands. (1983, c. 279, s. 1; 1989, c.727, s. 218(15); 1997‑443, s. 11A.119(a).)