Control of Pollution Act 1974

[F1 30Z Mine operators to give SEPA six months’ notice of any proposed abandonment. S

(1) If, in the case of any mine, there is to be an abandonment at any time after the expiration of the initial period, it shall be the duty of the operator of the mine to give notice of the proposed abandonment to SEPA at least six months before the abandonment takes effect.

(2) A notice under subsection (1) above shall contain such information (if any) as is prescribed for the purpose, which may include information about the operator’s opinion as to any consequences of the abandonment.

(3) A person who fails to give the notice required by subsection (1) above shall be guilty of an offence and liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(4) A person shall not be guilty of an offence under subsection (3) above if—

(a) the abandonment happens in an emergency in order to avoid danger to life or health; and

(b) notice of the abandonment, containing such information as may be prescribed, is given as soon as reasonably practicable after the abandonment has happened.

(5) Where the operator of a mine is—

(a) the Accountant in Bankruptcy acting as permanent or interim trustee in a sequestration (within the meaning of the M1 Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985); or

(b) the official receiver acting in a compulsory capacity,

he shall not be guilty of an offence under subsection (3) above by reason of any failure to give the notice required by subsection (1) above if, as soon as is reasonably practicable (whether before or after the abandonment), he gives to SEPA notice of the abandonment or proposed abandonment, containing such information as may be prescribed.

(6) Where a person gives notice under subsection (1), (4)(b) or (5) above, he shall publish prescribed particulars of, or relating to, the notice in one or more local newspapers circulating in the locality where the mine is situated.

(7) Where SEPA—

(a) receives notice under this section or otherwise learns of an abandonment or proposed abandonment in the case of any mine, and

(b) considers that, in consequence of the abandonment or proposed abandonment taking effect, any land has or is likely to become contaminated land, within the meaning of Part IIA of the M2 Environmental Protection Act 1990,

it shall be the duty of SEPA to inform the local authority in whose area that land is situated of the abandonment or proposed abandonment.

(8) In this section—

• “the initial period” means the period of six months beginning with the day on which subsection (1) above comes into force;

• “local authority” means a council constituted under section 2 of the M3 Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Pt. IA (ss. 30Y, 30Z) inserted (12.10.1995 for specified purposes otherwise 1.1.1999) by 1995 c. 25, s. 59 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1995/2649, art. 2(i); S.I. 1998/3272, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 30Z modified (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 33(5)(b) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

Marginal Citations

M1 1985 c. 66.

M2 1990 c.43.

M3 1994 c. 39.