Definitions.

As used in this part:

(a) Operator means any owner, lessee, or other person who operates, controls, or supervises a coal or other mine or any designated independent contractor performing services or construction at such mine.

(b) Person means any individual, sole proprietor, partnership, association, corporation, firm, subsidiary of a corporation, or other organization.

(c) Coal or other mine means (a) an area of land from which minerals are extracted in nonliquid form or, if in liquid form, are extracted with workers underground, (b) private ways and roads appurtenant to such area, and (c) lands, excavations, underground passageways, shafts, slopes, tunnels and workings, structures, facilities, equipment, machines, tools, or other property including impoundments, retention dams, and tailings ponds, on the surface or underground, used in, or to be used in, or resulting from, the work of extracting such minerals from their natural deposits in nonliquid form, or if in liquid form, with workers underground, or used in, or to be used in, the milling of such minerals, or the work of preparing coal or other minerals, and includes custom coal preparation facilities. In making a determination of what constitutes mineral milling for purposes of this act, the Secretary shall give due consideration to the convenience of administration resulting from the delegation to one Assistant Secretary of all authority with respect to the health and safety of miners employed at one physical establishment.

For more information : See MSHA's Program Policy Manual