Bill Text: MN SF1291 | 2013-2014 | 88th Legislature | Engrossed

---

Bill Title: Mine inspector policy, technical, and clarifying provisions modifications

Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-2)

Status: (Passed) 2013-05-06 - Secretary of State Chapter 38 05/02/13 [SF1291 Detail]

Download: Minnesota-2013-SF1291-Engrossed.html

---

A bill for an act

relating to mines; making technical, clarifying, and other policy changes to
mine inspector provisions;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 180.01;
180.02; 180.03; 180.04; 180.05; 180.08; 180.10; 180.11; 180.12; 180.13;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 180; repealing
Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 180.06; 180.09.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 180.01, is amended to read:
180.01 APPOINTMENT.
The board of commissioners of any county in this state, where there are at least five
mines situate and in operation, is hereby authorized and directed, on or before the first day
of July, 1905, to appoint an inspector of mines, who shall hold office for the term of three
years or until a successor is appointed and qualified, and in addition thereto may appoint
one assistant inspector for every 20 mines as the board may determine for the purpose
of discharging the duties hereinafter prescribed; to fix the compensation and traveling
expenses of such inspector or any assistant inspector and provide for the payment of the
same, and to remove such inspector or any assistant inspector and appoint another in
place when in the judgment of the board the best interests of the owners and employees
of such mines may so require. In any county where there are active, inactive, or idled
mines, and no county mine inspector has been appointed as provided above, the county
board shall enforce the provisions of chapter 180 by designating an appropriate county
officer or employee to discharge the duties of county mine inspector. The qualifications
and salary prescribed in section 180.02 do not apply to the person designated, except that
the person may not be interested in any mine as an owner, operator, agent, stockholder,
or engineer. to enforce the provisions of this chapter by designating the appropriate
individual or individuals to discharge the duties of county mine inspector. During periods
of transition of up to 12 months, or for counties where less than five mines are situated and
in operation, the county may designate an appropriate county officer that is exempt from
the qualifications in section 180.02. Acts or omissions of a person appointed or designated
to perform the duties of county of a mine inspector, whether statutory or discretionary, are
acts or omissions as defined in section 466.03, subdivision 5 or 6.

    Sec. 2. [180.015] DEFINITIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Scope. The terms defined in this section have the meanings given.
    Subd. 2. Mine inspector. "Mine inspector" or "inspector of mines" means the
person designated by the county as the county mine inspector, and includes any assistant
mine inspectors.
    Subd. 3. Mine waste. "Mine waste" means any material, such as surface
overburden, rock, lean ore, or tailings which in the process of mining and beneficiation
has been removed from the earth and stored elsewhere on the surface.
    Subd. 4. Mining. "Mining" means the process of removing; stockpiling; processing;
storing; transporting, excluding use of common carriers and public transportation systems;
and reclaiming any material in connection with the commercial production of metallic
minerals. This includes exploration activities such as the taking of large bulk samples.
    Subd. 5. Mining area or area subjected to mining. "Mining area" or "area
subjected to mining" means an area of land from which material is removed in connection
with the production or extraction of metallic minerals; the lands on which material from
the mining is deposited; the lands on which beneficiating plants, heap and dump leaching
facilities, and auxiliary facilities are located; lands on which the water reservoirs used in
the mining process are located; and auxiliary lands that are used or intended to be used
in a particular mining operation.
    Subd. 6. Mining operation. "Mining operation" means all of a mining project
without regard to political, administrative, or ownership boundaries, which includes
mining area, mine waste, and all of the facilities used in mining as defined in this chapter.
    Subd. 7. Reportable accident. "Reportable accident" means:
(1) a death of any individual on mine property;
(2) an injury that has a reasonable potential to cause death;
(3) mine fires that result in evacuation of miners or cause significant damage to
structures or equipment at a mine;
(4) all explosions, including methane, dust, or unplanned detonation of explosives
or blasting agents;
(5) coal or rock outbursts, including bumps or bounces, that result in injury or
evacuation of an area, or that interrupts production for more than 30 minutes;
(6) inundations by liquid or gas;
(7) entrapment of any person requiring mine rescue efforts;
(8) any unstable condition at an impoundment or refuse pile that requires emergency
corrective action to prevent failure or requires evacuation;
(9) any accident at a mine that is likely to be the subject of immediate or
extraordinary media interest; or
(10) a death of any individual off-mine property resulting from activities, such as
flyrock, on mine property.

    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 180.02, is amended to read:
180.02 QUALIFICATIONS, SALARY, OATH, BOND.
Each inspector of mines and assistant shall be at least 25 years of age, a citizen of
the state, and a resident of the county wherein appointed, of good moral character and
temperate habits. Previous to appointment the inspector shall have had at least two years
of practical experience as a miner or otherwise engaged as an employee in mines of the
state at least six years, or a mining engineer having had previous to appointment at least
two years of practical experience in iron mines and iron mining and having had at least one
year of such experience in this state. The inspector shall not while in office in any way be
interested as an owner, operator, agent, stockholder, or engineer of any mine. The inspector
shall live or have an office in the mining district of the county for which appointed. The
salary of each inspector of mines and assistant shall be such sum as shall be fixed by the
county board not exceeding $7,500 per annum, and shall be allowed actual traveling
expenses not to exceed $1,200 in any one year. The inspector shall file with the county
auditor an itemized account of expenses every three months, verified by affidavit, showing
that they have been incurred in the discharge of official duties in mining and mining-related
safety work. Before entering upon the discharge of the duties of office, the inspector shall
take an oath before some a person authorized by law to administer oaths to support the
Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Minnesota, and that
the inspector will faithfully, impartially, and to the best of ability discharge the duties of
office, and file a certificate of having done so in the office of the county auditor. The
inspector shall give bond, payable to the county board, in the penal sum of $5,000, with
sufficient sureties to be approved by the county board, conditioned that the inspector will
faithfully discharge the duties of office and this bond shall be filed with the county auditor.

    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 180.03, is amended to read:
180.03 DUTIES.
    Subdivision 1. Inspections. The duties of the inspector of mines shall be to
visit in person or by assistants all the working mines of mining operations for which
a permit to mine has been obtained from the commissioner of natural resources in the
inspector's county at least once every 90 days and oftener more often if requested so to do
as hereinafter provided, and closely inspect the mines so visited and condemn all such
places where the employees are in danger from any cause, whether resulting from careless
mining or defective machinery or appliances of any nature. The inspector shall compel the
erection of a partition between all shafts where hoisting of ore is performed, and where
there are ladder ways, where workers must ascend or descend going to and from their
work. In case the event that the inspector of mines shall find finds that a place is dangerous
from any cause, as aforesaid, it shall be the inspector's duty immediately to order those
engaged in the work at that place to quit cease work, and notify the superintendent, agent,
or person in charge to secure the place from the existing danger, which notification or order
shall be in writing, clearly define the limits of the dangerous place, and specify the work to
be done or change to be made to render the same secure, ordinary mine risks excepted. It
shall be the duty of the inspector of mines to order the person, persons, or corporation
working any mine, or the agent, superintendent, lead supervisor, or other person having
immediate charge of the working of any mine, to furnish all shafts, open pits, caves, and
chutes of such mine where danger exists with some secure safeguard at the top of the shaft,
open pit, cave, or chute, so as to guard against accidents by persons falling therein or by
material falling down the same, also a covering overhead on all the carriages on which
persons ascend or descend up and down the shaft, if in the inspector's judgment it shall be
practicable and necessary for the purpose of safety mitigate the identified hazard.
    Subd. 2. Fences. Every person, firm, or corporation that is or has been engaged
in the business of mining or removing iron ore, taconite, semitaconite or other minerals
except sand, crushed rock, and gravel shall erect and maintain, as a minimum, a three
strand wire fence along the outside perimeter of the excavation, open pit, or shaft of any
mine in which mining operations have ceased for a period of six consecutive months or
longer. However, Based upon local site conditions that may exist at shafts, caves, or open
pits, the county mine inspector may require more secure fencing such as barbed wire
or mesh fence, or may require barriers, appropriate signs, or any combination of the
above, to reduce the possibility of accidental falls. The county mine inspector may grant
exemptions under subdivision 4. In the case of open pit mines in which Where mining
operations cease after November 1, 1979, and before March 1, 1980, the fence, barrier,
signs, or combination of them shall be erected as soon as possible after March 1, 1980.
Where mining operations cease on or after March 1, 1980, the fence, barrier, signs, or
combination of them shall be erected forthwith. In the case of open pit mines in which
mining operations had ceased for a period of six consecutive months or longer before
November 1, 1979, have ceased and not resumed, the fence, barrier, signs, or combination
of them shall be erected within two years from the date when the county mine inspector
directs the erection of fences, barriers, signs, or combination of them. Any fence, barrier,
signs, or combination of them, required by an inspector of mines pursuant to subdivision
3 or other applicable law, shall meet the standards of this section as a minimum. This
subdivision does not apply to any excavation, open pit, or shaft, or any portion thereof,
exempted from its application by the commissioner of natural resources pursuant to laws
relating to mine land reclamation, exempted from its application by the Iron Range
Resources and Rehabilitation Board under actions taken by the board, or exempted from
its application by the county mine inspector pursuant to subdivision 4.
    Subd. 3. Abandoned mines. When any a mine is idle or abandoned it shall be is
the duty of the inspector of mines to notify the person, firm, or corporation that is or has
been engaged in the business of mining to erect and maintain around all the shafts, caves,
and open pits of such mines a fence, barrier, appropriate signs, or combination of them,
suitable to warn of the presence of shafts, caves, or open pits and reduce the possibility of
accidentally falling into these shafts, caves, or open pits. If the mine has been idled or
abandoned for more than ten years, or if the person, firm, or corporation that has been
engaged in the business of mining no longer exists, the fee owner shall erect the fence,
barrier, or signs required by this section. The notice shall be in writing and be served upon
such person, firm, corporation, or fee owner by certified mail. If the fee owner fails to act,
the county in which the mining operation is located may, in addition to any other remedies
available, abate the nuisance by erecting the fence, barrier, or signs and assessing the costs
and related expenses pursuant to section 429.101.
    Subd. 4. Exemptions. Upon written application, the county mine inspector may
exempt from the requirements of subdivision 2, any abandoned excavation, open pit, or
shaft which is provided with fencing, barriers, appropriate signs, or combinations of them,
in a manner that is reasonably similar to the standards set forth in subdivision 2, or which
in the inspector's judgment does not constitute a safety hazard.
    Subd. 5. Aquaculture exemption. Upon written notice to the county mine
inspector, a person, firm, or corporation that is actively and exclusively engaged in the
business of cold water aquaculture shall be exempt from the requirements of subdivision
3. The exemption shall only apply to those portions of idle or abandoned open pit mines
that are actively being used for aquaculture operations and that are owned by the person,
firm, or corporation. A landowner exempted assumes all responsibility for inspection and
safety measures pertaining to the affected parcels of land and the county mine inspector is
relieved of inspection requirements. The notice provided to the county mine inspector
pursuant to this subdivision shall be annual and shall be filed with the county mine
inspector's office by January 15 of each year. The notice shall describe the affected parcels
of land and shall provide a sworn affidavit by the landowner that the subject property will
be actively and exclusively used for aquaculture purposes during the calendar year. Failure
to comply with the notice requirement of this subdivision makes the idle or abandoned
open pit mines subject to the provisions of subdivision 3.

    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 180.04, is amended to read:
180.04 REQUIRING EMPLOYEES TO WORK AFTER ORDER TO QUIT
CEASE; LIABILITY OF EMPLOYER.
If any a person is required to continue work in any a place in which the inspector
of mines has ordered employees to quit cease work, as aforesaid, except to do such the
work as may have been by the inspector required by the inspector to be done in order to
render such the place safe, ordinary risks of mining excepted, the persons or corporations
so requiring employees to work in such the place shall be liable for all accidents causing
injury or death to any employee arising by reason of such the place not having been
repaired or changed as required by the inspector.

    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 180.05, is amended to read:
180.05 INSPECTOR, POWERS; OWNER, DUTIES.
It shall be lawful for the inspector of mines or assistant inspector to enter, examine,
and inspect any and all mines mining operations and machinery belonging thereto to
the mine owner, operator, or agent at all reasonable times by day or by night, but so as
not to obstruct or hinder the necessary workings of such mines, and it shall be the duty
of the owner, operator, or agent of every such mine, upon the facility. At the request of
the inspector of mines, or assistant inspector to the owner, operator, or agent of a mining
operation shall furnish for inspection,:
(1) all maps, drawings, and plans of the mine mining facility, together with the plans
of all contemplated changes in the manner of working the mine or any part thereof; to
furnish some
(2) a suitable person, as the inspector may desire, who shall be chosen by the
inspector from a list containing at least three candidates, submitted by a majority of
employees of the mine, to accompany the inspector through the mine, or any part thereof,
and to furnish suitable ladders and other mining operation;
(3) any necessary appliances equipment to make a proper inspection and to furnish
upon request the inspector of mines with; and
(4) all necessary facilities for such entry, examination, and inspection, and if the
owner, operator, or agent refuse to permit such inspection or to furnish the necessary
facilities for such entry, examination, and inspection, and continue so to refuse or permit,
after .
Upon receipt of a written request thereof made by the inspector of mines, such refusal or
neglect to permit the inspection or to furnish the necessary facilities for entry, examination,
and inspection, shall be deemed a gross misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, such
owner, operator, or agent shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than
$3,000 for each offense.

    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 180.08, is amended to read:
180.08 ACCIDENTS; NOTICE, INVESTIGATION.
When by reason of any Upon the occurrence of a reportable accident in any mine
loss of life or serious personal injury shall occur, it shall be is the duty of the manager
or superintendent designee of the mine, and in their absence the person or officer under
them in charge of the mine, to give notice thereof forthwith to the inspector of mines, as
soon as practical but at least within one hour of stabilization of the accident scene, stating
the particulars of such the accident, and. Upon notification, the inspector shall, if the
inspector deems it necessary from the facts reported, go immediately to the scene of such
the accident and make such suggestions and render such assistance as the inspector may
deem necessary in the premises and personally investigate the cause of such the accident
and take such steps as the inspector may deem necessary for the safety of the employees
of such the mine and to prevent accident of a like or similar nature. The inspector shall be
accompanied by three persons appointed by the manager or other person in charge of the
mine and by three persons appointed by a majority of the employees of the mine to serve
in such cases. The requirement for accompaniment may be modified by a waiver signed
by representatives from the employees, management, and inspector.

    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 180.10, is amended to read:
180.10 REMOVAL OF FENCE; GUARD.
Any A worker, employee, or other person who shall open, remove opens, removes,
or disturb disturbs any fence, guard, barrier, sign, or rail and not fails to close or replace or
have the same closed or replaced again around or in front of any mine shaft, pit, chute,
excavation, cave, or land liable to cave, injure, or destroy, whereby whether by accident,
injury, or damage results, either to the mine or those at work therein, or to any other
person, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. A worker, employee, or other person who,
in regard to any fence, guard, barrier, sign, or rail, does any of the acts prohibited by
section 609.52, commits theft of the fence, guard, barrier, sign, or rail may be sentenced as
provided in section 609.52.

    Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 180.11, is amended to read:
180.11 ANNUAL REPORT.
It shall be is the duty of the inspector of mines to make and file no later than March
first each year with the auditor of the county for which appointed a full and complete report
of all acts, proceedings, and doings hereunder the activities of the mine inspector for each
year ending December 31, stating therein among other things the number of visits and
inspections made, the number of mines in operation, the number of mines not in operation,
the names of the mines, where located, the owners, lessees, or managers, the names of the
officers, the quantity of ore shipped, the number of workers employed, the average wages
for different kinds of work, the number of accidents and description of accidents, fatal or
otherwise, the cause of such accidents, and such any other information in relation that
relates to the subject of mines and mining inspection as the inspector may deem of proper
interest and beneficial pertinent to the mining interests reporting duties of the state office.

    Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 180.12, is amended to read:
180.12 VIOLATIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Owner, operator, or agent. Any owner, operator, or agent of
any mine in this state violating the provisions of this chapter shall, except as otherwise
specifically provided, be deemed guilty of a gross misdemeanor, and for each offense,
upon conviction, fined not less than $100 nor more than $3,000.
    Subd. 2. Person in immediate charge. Any A person who is in immediate charge
of the working of any mine who fails to carry out any an order of the inspector, issued
pursuant to section 180.03 or who permits, directs, or authorizes any person to work in a
manner which violates the provisions of section 180.04 shall upon finding by the district
court of the county where the mine is situated that the order of the inspector was not
unjust or unreasonable or an abuse of discretion be guilty of a gross misdemeanor, and
upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided in section 609.03. Each time an
order of the inspector issued under section 180.04 is not complied with, shall constitute a
separate offense. Each offense shall be prosecuted by the county attorney of the county in
which having gross misdemeanor jurisdiction for the location of the facility where the
offense took place.

    Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 180.13, is amended to read:
180.13 NEGLECT OF INSPECTOR.
Any inspector of mines appointed hereunder failing under this chapter who fails to
comply with the requirements of this chapter shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor; and,.
Upon conviction thereof, the inspector shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than
$3,000 and be dismissed from office, and. The board of commissioners shall remove the
inspector from office for neglect of duty, drunkenness, incompetency, malfeasance in
office, or other good cause.

    Sec. 12. REPEALER.
Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 180.06; and 180.09, are repealed.