Definitions — Us Code Code § 2462

Us Code Code § 2462 — Definitions. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 2462. Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter:

(1) The term "Antarctica" means the area south of the Antarctic Convergence as defined in section 2432(1) of this title.

(2) The term "Antarctic mineral resource activity" means prospecting, exploration, or development in Antarctica of mineral resources, but does not include scientific research within the meaning of article III of the Antarctic Treaty, done at Washington on December 1, 1959.

(3) The term "development" means any activity, including logistic support, which takes place following exploration, the purpose of which is the exploitation of specific mineral resource deposits, including processing, storage, and transport activities.

(4) The term "exploration" means any activity, including logistic support, the purpose of which is the identification or evaluation of specific mineral resource deposits. The term includes exploratory drilling, dredging, and other surface or subsurface excavations required to determine the nature and size of mineral resource deposits and the feasibility of their development.

(5) The term "mineral resources" means all nonliving natural nonrenewable resources, including fossil fuels, minerals, whether metallic or nonmetallic, but does not include ice, water, or snow.

(6) The term "person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association, or any other entity existing or organized under the laws of the United States, or any officer, employee, agent, department, or other instrumentality of the Federal Government or of any State or political subdivision thereof.

(7) The term "prospecting" means any activity, including logistic support, the purpose of which is the identification of mineral resource potential for possible exploration and development.

(8) The term "Under Secretary" means the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.

(Pub. L. 101–594, §3, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2976.)

About This Section

16 U.S.C. § 2462 is part of Title 16 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 16 U.S.C. § 2462. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

Verify the text

Statute text is transcribed from the official United States Code. Confirm it against the primary source before relying on it:

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

Common questions

What is the source of United States Code § 2462?

The text above is transcribed from the United States Code, the codified statutes of Us Code. The official publisher link appears under "Verify the text" on this page.

What subject does United States Code § 2462 address?

It addresses "Definitions". Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

Is United States Code § 2462 still in force?

Statutes are amended, repealed, and renumbered every session. Confirm the current version at the official Us Code source before relying on this text.

Can this page be used as legal advice?

No. This is a reference transcription for research. Applying Us Code law to your facts requires a licensed Us Code attorney who can review the specifics.