Minnesota Session Laws - 1983, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1983 

                        CHAPTER 156--H.F.No. 758
           An act relating to mining; extending the time period 
          within which certain idle open pit mines must be 
          fenced; amending Minnesota Statutes 1982, section 
          180.03, subdivision 2. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1982, section 180.03, 
subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
    Subd. 2.  Every person, firm or corporation that is or has 
been engaged in the business of mining or removing iron ore, 
taconite, semitaconite or other minerals except sand, crushed 
rock and gravel by the open pit method in any county which has 
appointed an inspector of mines pursuant to section 180.01 shall 
erect two inch by four inch mesh fencing along the outside 
perimeter of the excavation, open pit, or shaft of any mine in 
which mining operations have ceased for a period of six 
consecutive months or longer.  The top and bottom wire shall not 
be less than 9 gauge and the filler wire shall not be less than 
11 gauge.  The fencing shall be not less than five feet in 
height with two strands of barbed wire six inches apart affixed 
to the top of the fence.  The fence posts shall be no more than 
ten feet apart.  In the case of open pit mines in which mining 
operations cease after November 1, 1979, and before March 1, 
1980, the fencing shall be erected as soon as possible after 
March 1, 1980. Where mining operations cease on or after March 
1, 1980, the fencing shall be erected forthwith.  In the case of 
open pit mines in which mining operations had ceased for a 
period of six consecutive months or longer before November 1, 
1979, and not resumed, the fencing shall be erected within four 
five years after November 1, 1979.  Any fencing required by an 
inspector of mines pursuant to subdivision 3 or other applicable 
law shall meet the standards of this section as a minimum.  This 
subdivision does not apply to any excavation, open pit, or 
shaft, or any portion thereof, exempted from its application by 
the commissioner of natural resources pursuant to laws relating 
to mineland reclamation or exempted from its application by the 
county mine inspector pursuant to subdivision 4. 
     Sec. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
     This act is effective the day after enactment. 
    Approved May 17, 1983