Role of the Arizona State Mine Inspector

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Please visit http://www.asmi.az.gov/ for insight as to the responsibilities and duties of the Arizona State Mine Inspector. Reports are available for reviewing and educational purposes.

Inspections Program:
The mine inspector shall inspect, at least once every three months, every active underground mine in the state employing fifty or more persons, and at least once each year, every other mine. The inspector shall inspect the operation, conditions, safety appliances, machinery, equipment, sanitation and ventilation, the means of ingress and egress, the means taken to protect the lives, health and safety of the miners, the cause of accidents and deaths occurring at the mine, and the means taken to comply with provisions of this title.

Abandoned Mines Program:
Subject to legislative appropriation, the state mine inspector shall establish a program to locate, inventory, classify and eliminate public safety hazards at abandoned mines as defined in section 27-301. The state mine inspector shall spend state appropriated monies to locate, inventory, classify and eliminate public safety hazards at abandoned mines on state land first and thereafter any public safety hazards at abandoned mines on land not owned by this state.

Reclamation Program: The Reclamation Division's primary responsibility is the approval (or denial) of mined land reclamation plans submitted by all metalliferous mining units and exploration operations with surface disturbances greater than five acres on private lands. The division reviews and analyzes reclamation plans (including reclamation cost estimates), and makes recommendations to the State Mine Inspector for approval or denial of proposed plans. Other program responsibilities include the coordinated review and approval of reclamation plans with other state and federal land management agencies and on-site visits and reclamation inspections to determine compliance with the Mined Land Reclamation Act and Rules.

Mine Safety and Health Education (Miners):
The Education and Training Program certifies MSHA instructors, develops lesson plans, conducts classes, and organizes safety conferences for mine safety education and training. The emphasis is placed on miner's rights and current health and safety regulations in compliance with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, Title 30 CFR, Part 46, 47, 48, 49, 56, 57, 58 and 62.