As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES
Activities involving the acquisition, processing, storage
and/or sale of materials that are taking place or have historically
taken place at mine sites other than such activities that are and/or
have been directly undertaken in the processes of mining or reclamation
as such terms are defined herein.
MINE
Any excavation from which a mineral is to be produced for
sale or exchange, or for commercial, industrial or municipal use;
all haulageways and all equipment above, on or below the surface of
the ground used in connection with such excavation, and all lands
included in the life of the mine review by the Department of Environmental
Conservation.
MINE SITE
Any site at which a mine as defined herein is located.
MINING
The extraction of overburden and minerals from the earth;
the preparation and processing of minerals, including any activities
or processes or parts thereof for the extraction or removal of minerals
from their original location and the preparation, washing, cleaning,
crushing, stockpiling or other processing of minerals at the mine
location so as to make them suitable for commercial, industrial, or
construction use; exclusive of manufacturing processes, at the mine
location; the removal of such materials through sale or exchange,
or for commercial, industrial or municipal use; and the disposition
of overburden, tailings and waste at the mine location. "Mining" shall
not include the excavation, removal and disposition of minerals from
construction projects, exclusive of the creation of water bodies,
or excavations in aid of agricultural activities.
RECLAMATION
The conditioning of the affected land to make it suitable
for any uses or purposes consistent with the New York State Mined
Land Reclamation Law.