Open mines doctrine

{
  "id": "MLC-T-LAW-003556",
  "term": "Open mines doctrine",
  "field": "Law",
  "definition": "A legal principle in property law that allows a life tenant to continue operating mines or quarries that were already open and in operation at the commencement of the life estate. The life tenant may extract and sell minerals without committing waste, as long as the operations do not expand beyond the existing scope. This doctrine is an exception to the general rule against waste by a life tenant.",
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/law/open-mines-doctrine/"
}