Virginia Administrative Code
Title 4 - CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Agency 25 - DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Chapter 130 - COAL SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION REGULATIONS
Part 817 - Permanent Program Performance Standards-Underground Mining Activities
Section 4VAC25-130-817.64 - Use of explosives; general performance standards

(a) The permittee shall notify, in writing, residents within 1/2 mile of the blasting site and local governments of the proposed times and locations of blasting operations. Such notice of times that blasting is to be conducted may be announced weekly, but in no case less than 24 hours before blasting will occur.

(b) Unscheduled blasts may be conducted only where public or permittee health and safety so requires and for emergency blasting actions. When a permittee conducts an unscheduled surface blast incidental to underground coal mining operations, the permittee, using audible signals, shall notify residents within 1/2 mile of the blasting site and document the reason in accordance with 4VAC25-130-817.68 (p).

(c) All blasting shall be conducted during daylight hours. The division may specify more restrictive time periods for blasting.

(d) Seismic monitoring shall be conducted when blasting operations on coal surface mining operations are conducted within 1,000 feet of a private dwelling or other occupied building.