§ 34-21-101 — Office of active and inactive mines - creation - duties

(1) There is
created in the division of reclamation, mining, and safety in the department of
natural resources the office of active and inactive mines, the head of which is
appointed by the director of the division. The office of active and inactive mines is a type 2 entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs
its duties and functions under the department of natural resources. The office has
the following duties:

(a) To assist, upon request, operators and miners in meeting the
requirements of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, Pub.L. 95-164,
as amended;

(b) To assist, upon request, operators in establishing, training, equipping, and
coordinating mine rescue teams;

(c) To maintain state miner training and accident reduction programs as
deemed necessary by the commissioner and to provide such programs to operators
and miners when requested;

(d) To secure funding for state and local training, technical assistance, and
technology improvement programs;

(e) Through the board, to examine applicants for positions for which
certification is required by federal law and to issue certificates of competence to
those applicants who qualify;

(f) To provide for permitting of underground diesel-powered equipment and
for permitting the storage and use of explosives until a federal permit is required by
law;

(g) To be a repository for mine information and maps, to collect mine data
and records, and to preserve information regarding the history and progress of the
mining industry in the state from the earliest date to the present time;

(h) To respond to operators' or coroners' requests for assistance in
investigating injuries and accidents;

(i) To provide administration and clerical support for the commissioners, the
director, and the board;

(j) To prepare an annual report on the mining industry in Colorado providing
information on production, employment, safety, ownership, processing and
distribution, location, type, and any other information necessary to guide and
promote mining in the state;

(k) To cooperate with and utilize the Colorado geological survey, consistent
with its duties in sections 23-41-203 and 23-41-205, C.R.S.;

(l) To cooperate with other state agencies and institutions in the
implementation of articles 1, 21, 22, 23, 24, 32, and 33 of this title;

(l.1) To develop and administer the abandoned mine reclamation program
consistent with the provisions of section 34-33-133; and

(m) To perform such other duties as specified in articles 22 to 24 and article
32 of this title.

Legislative History

Source: L. 88: Entire article R&RE, p. 1186, � 2, effective July 1. L. 92: IP(1), (1)(e), and (1)(l) amended and (1)(l.1) added, p. 1931, � 12, effective July 1. L. 93: (1)(m) amended, p. 1198, � 17, effective July 1. L. 2006: IP(1) amended, p. 216, � 10, effective August 7. L. 2012: (1)(k) amended, (HB 12-1355), ch. 247, p. 1197, � 6, effective January 31, 2013. L. 2022: IP(1) amended, (SB 22-162), ch. 469, p. 3409, � 162, effective August 10.