North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 74. Mines and Quarries § 74-76. Definitions

(1) “Commission” means the North Carolina Mining Commission created by G.S. 143B-290.

(2) “Department” means the Department of Environmental Quality.

(3) “Exploration activity” means (i) the breaking of the surface soil in order to locate a natural deposit of uranium and to determine its quality and quantity or (ii) any activity that is directly connected with the breaking of the surface soil and that is undertaken to facilitate or accomplish the location and analysis of a uranium deposit. Exploration activity does not include an insignificant breaking of the surface soil and extraction of samples by hand tools for exploration purposes. This Article shall in no way limit or restrict to applicability of the Mining Act of 1971 to any activity that satisfies the definition of mining in that act.

(4) “Land” includes submerged, tidal and estuarine lands.