Mine - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition mine

Definition :

Mine [fr. mwyn or mwy, Wel., fr. maen, a stone], an excavation or cavern in the earth; an excavation made for the purpose of getting coal or other minerals.

The inspection and regulation of mines other than coal mines is provided for by the Metalliferous Mines Regulation Acts, 1872 and 1875. As to the corresponding provisions in the case of coal mines, see COAL MINES.

Coal mines only were rateable under 43 Eliz. c. 2, but the Rating Act, 1874 (37 & 38 Vict. c. 54), has made all mines rateable.

Neither mines under railways [see (English) Railways Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845 (8 & 9 Vict. c. 20), ss. 77-85], nor under waterworks [see (English) Waterworks Clauses Act, 1847 (10 Vict. c. 17), ss. 18-27], pass to the respective companies, unless expressly purchased. See also (English) Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Acts, 1923, 1925, and 1934; the (English) Coal Mines Act, 1926 (c. 17), and the (English) Mining Industry Act (c. 28). By the (English) Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1908, as amended by 9 & 10 Geo. 5, c. 48, s. 1, work below ground in a mine is restricted to seven hours during any consecutive twenty-four hours. But see Coal Mines Act, 1930 (c. 34), s. 14; Coal Mines Act, 1931 (c. 27), s. 1; (English) Coal Mines Act, 1932 (c. 29), s. 1. Consult MacSwinney on Mines and Chitty's Statutes, tit. 'Mines.'

S. 2(L) (iv) of the Coal Mines Nationalisation Act, 1973 includes open cases working within the definition of mine, Kali Prasad Agarwalla v. Bharat Coking Coal Ltd., AIR 1989 SC 1530: (1989) Supp 1 SCC 628. [Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973 (26 of 1973), s. 2(L)(iv)(vi)]

The expression 'mine', according to Clause (b) of s. 3, means any excavation for the purpose of searching for or obtaining minerals, Gujarat Pottery Works Pvt. Ltd. v. B.P., AIR 1967 SC 964 (967). [Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act (53 of 1948), s. 3(b)]