(a) The provisions of this article do not apply to activities of the West Virginia Department of Transportation or any legally constituted public governing entities including municipal corporations or other political subdivisions, including the federal government, or to activities of any person acting under contract with any of these public agencies or entities, on highway rights-of-way or borrow pits owned, operated, or maintained solely in connection with the construction, repair and maintenance of the public roads system of the state or other public facilities. This exemption does not become effective until the public agencies or entities have adopted reclamation standards applying to the activities.
(b) The provisions of this article do not apply to quarrying on federal lands when performed under a valid permit from the appropriate federal agency having jurisdiction over the land.
(c) The provisions of this article do not apply to the following activities:
(1) Operations engaged only in processing minerals;