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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the physical address for the Division of Mineral Mining?

Parking and Main Entrance: Please use the visitors parking area and enter the building through the main entrance. There are two reception areas near the front entrance. Someone will direct you to the Division of Mineral Mining offices.

Where can I purchase topographical and geologic maps of Virginia?
Topographic and geologic maps of Virginia may be purchased from the Division of Geology & Mineral Resources by calling 434-951-6340. Visit the Division of Geology & Mineral Resources web site for other information about available publications and mineral resource information.

Where can I get information about organizations that are interested in mining-related issues?Click Here

Where can I find information about economic development assistance programs in Virginia? Click Here

How do I obtain a duplicate certification card?
You may obtain a duplicate of your certification card by sending $1.00, your name, address, date of birth, and type of certification (include certification number, if known) for which you need the replacement card to: Division of Mineral Mining; 900 Natural Resources Drive, Suite 400; Charlottesville, Virginia 22903. Payment may be made by cash, check or postal money order made payable to Treasurer of Virginia. The charge is $1.00 for each duplicate card requested.

How do I change my address for my certifications?
It is extremely important that you maintain a current address with the Division of Mineral Mining so that you can be notified of certification expiration and renewal dates. Change of address notifications must be made in writing and can be mailed or faxed to the Division of Mineral Mining.  The address change notice must include your name, DMM ID# or certification number, old address, in addition to the new address. Mail change of address notices to Division of Mineral Mining; 900 Natural Resources Drive, Suite 400; Charlottesville, Virginia 22903.  Fax change of address notices to 434-951-6325.

How do I become an Approved Competent Person for the Virginia mineral mining industry?
You must pass the appropriate foreman's exam and have more than two years of mineral mining experience, but less than 5 years of mineral mining experience. You or your employer must also make a written request to the Director of the Division of Mineral Mining to be considered for approval as an Approved Competent Person.

Is my mineral mine Surface Blaster Certification also accepted for non-mining related construction blasting?
No.  Blasting on non-mining construction operations is covered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development; State Fire Marshal's Office. Contact them at 804-371-7170.

I have not obtained the required renewal of my certification. Can I obtain an extension to allow me to complete the renewal process?
No. You must complete the renewal process prior to the expiration of your certification. No extensions are considered. If your certification has expired, you must re-apply and take the full certification exam to be re-certified.

Do I have to submit all required certification information before I can take the certification exam?
No.  You must have your certification application in and have the exam fee paid before you take the exam. The other information required for your file may be incomplete at the time you take the exam, but you cannot be certified until your file is complete.

My former employer has gone out of business. How can I get my work experience form completed and signed?
You must complete the form for the time period you were at the company, then obtain a verification signature from a former company official, a former supervisor, or from someone knowledgeable of your time and work experience with the company. Remember, if you are claiming time and experience from different companies or mining operations, you will need to use a separate DMM-BMME-2 form for each company and get the appropriate verification for each company and time period.

If I am registered to take a class, can I get the training materials in advance so that I can review them before the class?
Yes.  Training materials can be sent to you if we have sufficient notice before the class date. You must be registered for the class and let us know that you want the class materials mailed to you. You must bring the materials to the class with you since only one set of materials is provided per student.

What are the charges for taking a class and obtaining a certification?
There is no charge to take a class but you must pre-register. For all initial and renewal certifications there is a $10.00 fee that must be paid before you can take an exam or renewal course. Fees are accepted as cash, money order or check. Checks and money orders must be made payable to the Treasurer of Virginia.

Can I pay my exam fee to the course instructor or a mine inspector?
No.  Mine inspectors are not authorized to accept any funds, fees, or money from any operator, class participant, or certification applicant. Fees, when required, must be paid in advance as part of the registration and certification process.

Will a mine inspector provide training at my mine or training facility if I have enough employees to form a class?
Yes.  It is possible for mine inspectors to provide customized on-site training when workload and resources allow. Contact the site mine inspector to discuss your specific training needs. Generally a minimum of 10 class participants is required for us to consider scheduling a class.

Does the Division of Mineral Mining have training resources, slide shows, videos and prepared programs available for industry to use for training mine employees?
Yes.  The Division of Mineral Mining has a training resource library where Virginia mineral mine operators may check out training materials. Click here for a list of training videos.

Who is qualified to provide General Mineral Miner training for my employees?
The General Mineral Miner course may be instructed by a certified mineral mine foreman or a Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) approved instructor. An individual may petition the Division of Mineral Mining Director for approval as a qualified instructor for General Mineral Miner courses. The petition must be in writing and include a resume or other training credentials to allow the individual's qualifications to be evaluated.

What other organizations can help me with a worker safety training program for my mine site? Click Here

Can I contact the site mine inspector at home?
Yes.  The telephone numbers listed for mine inspectors are their home numbers. Please respect their non-business hours but do not hesitate to contact them to report a complaint, accident or other mine emergency situation. Also please consider that the Mine Inspector's family members are under no obligation to take messages, complaints or reports of accidents. You may also contact the Division of Mineral Mining office in Charlottesville at 434-951-6310 and have the mine inspector paged to return your call.

Do I have to submit maps and map legends each year at renewal time?
Maps and map legends must be submitted with the renewal any time there have been changes in the various disturbed, reclaimed or bonded areas of the permit that were not shown on the last map submitted to DMM. If there have not been any such changes, maps and legends are not required; but a notarized statement certifying that there have been no changes must be submitted in lieu of the maps.

How can I obtain a list of permitted mineral mines in the state of Virginia?
The list of Virginia mineral mining permits is available from the Division of Mineral Mining by calling 434-951-6314.  The report is approximately 60 pages long and will cost approximately $10.00 (report length varies as does cost).

How can I obtain a mineral mining permit?
Contact DMM at 434-951-6314 and request a "New Permit Application Package".   The permit application package provides the forms and a checklist of the information that must be submitted to obtain a permit. You may want to visit the Permitting and Licensing area of this web site for more information on the permitting process. You may also want to contact the mine inspector for the area of interest if you have questions and need assistance. The area mine inspector will need to review the mine permit application to begin the permitting process.

Do I need a mining permit if I just want to dig and sell a small amount of material?
Yes.  The mineral mining laws do not provide an exemption from permitting based on the quantity of material mined. All operations are required to obtain permits and the same rules and regulations apply regardless of the mine size.

There are only two exceptions to this statement:

1. Sand or gravel operations that operate on 5 acres or less pay a reduced license fee ($48.00 instead of $180.00). § 45.1-161.292:31
   
2. Small operations that mine on 1 acre or less and remove less than 500 tons are eligible for a restricted permit. Restricted permits are exempt from the permitting fees and bonding requirements but must apply and obtain a mining permit prior to initiating any mining operation. § 45.1-180.4

For additional information about the Division of Mineral Mining, call (434) 951-6310 or by e-mail.