N.M. Code R. § 19.7.1.7 – Definitions

A. "Construction" means any on-site activity directly related to the development of a new mine site not yet registered, including shaft sinking, tunneling, excavation, building of surface facilities and road building.
B. "Department" means the energy, minerals and natural resources department.
C. "Director" means the director of the mining and minerals division.
D. "Division" means the mining and minerals division of the New Mexico energy, minerals and natural resources department.
E. "Mine" means and includes all surface and underground operations to win coal, metals and other mineral substances from their deposits (exclusive of natural gas or petroleum), all tunnel operations, all caisson operations, all mills, ore houses and treatment plants, all quarries, pits, open-cut workings, strippings, placer mines, sand, gravel and similar banks.
F. "Mineral" means coal, metallic or non-metallic ores or any naturally occurring rock substances that are mined or recovered on or under the surface of the earth.
G. "Operations" means any construction or excavation activities, including smelting and leaching activities, for the purpose of winning minerals from their deposits, as well as for mine reclamation and dismantling of surface facilities.
H. "Operator" means and includes owner, operator, lessee, manager, superintendent or agent, receiver or trustee and political subdivisions and instrumentalities of the state of New Mexico operating any mine.
I. "Permanent suspension" means the cessation for an indefinite period of mining operations which are not expected to resume at a future time. Mines where suspension is permanent do not have to report annually once the closed mine is effectively safeguarded.
J. "Secretary" means the secretary of the energy, minerals and natural resources department.
K. "Suspension" means the cessation of mine operations and may be either permanent or temporary in nature.
L. "Temporary suspension" means the cessation for a limited time of mining operations which are expected to resume at a future time. Mines under temporary suspension are considered active for registration and reporting purposes.
[8-21-89, 10-14-95; 19.7.1.7 NMAC - Rn, 19 NMAC 7.1.7, 5/30/2003]