What Notifications are Required by the HSA from Mine Operators?

The Mines and Quarries Act 1965 requires statutory notifications to the Authority (Inspector)

Section 125 requires the owner to notify the Inspector (Authority) in writing within two weeks after the happening of the event of

• the beginning of operations for opening a mine, seam or vein, or driving a new shaft or outlet of a mine
• the abandonment of a mine, shaft, outlet, seam or vein
• the expiration of two months since a seam or vein was last worked for getting minerals or products
• the expiration of two months from the day on which a shaft or outlet was last used
• the resumption of working after abandonment or after the expiration of any such period

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Section 31 requires the owner to notify the Inspector (Authority) of the appointment to be the manager or of any person exercising and performing the powers and duties of the manager during a vacancy, or to exercise supervision during a period when the manager is absent or unable to exercise supervision.

There are also other miscellaneous requirements under the Mines and Quarries Act as listed below;

• Notification to Inspector of change of ownership of the Mine
• Notification to Inspector of introduction of electricity below ground
• Notification to Inspector of introduction of type or class of vehicle under ground
• Notification to Inspector of dangerous occurrences
• Notification to Inspector of training scheme for the mine
• Notification to Inspector of Scheme of transit of explosives
• Notification to Inspector of test of emergency evacuation system

The vast majority of these will be eliminated by the Draft Consolidated Mines Regulations when they come into affect.

There are approved form for the Appointment of a Mine Manager and for the Appointment of a Substitute Manager so all other notifications should be in writing to the

Senior Mines Inspector at

The Metropolitan Building
James Joyce Street
Dublin 1