The Utah Legislature finds that:

(1) A mining industry is essential to the economic and physical well-being of the state of Utah and the nation.

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Terms Used In Utah Code 40-8-2

  • Land: includes :
         (18)(a) land;
         (18)(b) a tenement;
         (18)(c) a hereditament;
         (18)(d) a water right;
         (18)(e) a possessory right; and
         (18)(f) a claim. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
  • Reclamation: means actions performed during or after mining operations to shape, stabilize, revegetate, or treat the land affected in order to achieve a safe, stable ecological condition and use that is consistent with local environmental conditions. See Utah Code 40-8-4
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes a state, district, or territory of the United States. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
(2) It is necessary to alter the surface of the earth to extract minerals required by our society, but this should be done in such a way as to minimize undesirable effects on the surroundings.
(3) Mined land should be reclaimed so as to prevent conditions detrimental to the general safety and welfare of the citizens of the state and to provide for the subsequent use of the lands affected. Reclamation requirements must be adapted to the diversity of topographic, chemical, climatic, biologic, geologic, economic, and social conditions in the areas where mining takes place.