§ 2735

“Surface mining operations” means all, or any part of, the process involved in the mining of minerals on mined lands by removing overburden and mining directly from the mineral deposits, open-pit mining of minerals naturally exposed, mining by the auger method, dredging and quarrying, or surface work incident to an underground mine. Surface mining operations shall include, but are not limited to:

(a) Inplace distillation or retorting or leaching.

(b) The production and disposal of mining waste.

(c) Prospecting and exploratory activities.

(Added by Stats. 1975, Ch. 1131.)