Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Office of the Revisor of Statutes

Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language

CHAPTER 38--S.F.No. 1291

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 deleted text begin herebydeleted text end authorized and directeddeleted text begin , 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.deleted text end new text begin 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. new text end Acts or omissions deleted text begin of a person appointed or designated to perform the duties of county deleted text end new text begin of a new text end mine inspector, whether statutory or discretionary, are acts or omissions as defined in section 466.03, subdivision 5 or 6.

Sec. 2.

new text begin [180.015] DEFINITIONS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin The terms defined in this section have the meanings given. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Mine inspector. new text end

new text begin "Mine inspector" or "inspector of mines" means the person designated by the county as the county mine inspector, and includes any assistant mine inspectors. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Mine waste. new text end

new text begin "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. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Mining. new text end

new text begin "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. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Mining area or area subjected to mining. new text end

new text begin "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. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Mining operation. new text end

new text begin "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. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Reportable accident. new text end

new text begin "Reportable accident" means: new text end

new text begin (1) a death of any individual on mine property; new text end

new text begin (2) an injury that has a reasonable potential to cause death; new text end

new text begin (3) mine fires that result in evacuation of miners or cause significant damage to structures or equipment at a mine; new text end

new text begin (4) all explosions, including methane, dust, or unplanned detonation of explosives or blasting agents; new text end

new text begin (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; new text end

new text begin (6) inundations by liquid or gas; new text end

new text begin (7) entrapment of any person requiring mine rescue efforts; new text end

new text begin (8) any unstable condition at an impoundment or refuse pile that requires emergency corrective action to prevent failure or requires evacuation; new text end

new text begin (9) any accident at a mine that is likely to be the subject of immediate or extraordinary media interest; or new text end

new text begin (10) a death of any individual off-mine property resulting from activities, such as flyrock, on mine property. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 180.02, is amended to read:

180.02 QUALIFICATIONS, deleted text begin SALARY,deleted text end OATHdeleted text begin , BONDdeleted text end .

deleted text begin 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.deleted text end Previous to appointment the inspector shall have had new text begin at least two years ofnew text end practical experience deleted text begin 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 dutiesdeleted text end new text begin in mining and mining-related safety worknew text end . Before entering upon the discharge of the duties of office, the inspector shall take an oath before deleted text begin somedeleted text end new text begin anew text end 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. deleted text begin 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.deleted text end

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 deleted text begin in person or by assistantsdeleted text end all deleted text begin the working mines ofdeleted text end new text begin mining operations for which a permit to mine has been obtained from the commissioner of natural resources innew text end the inspector's county at least once every 90 days and deleted text begin oftenerdeleted text end new text begin more oftennew text end 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 causedeleted text begin , 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 workdeleted text end . In deleted text begin casedeleted text end new text begin the event thatnew text end the inspector of mines deleted text begin shall finddeleted text end new text begin findsnew text end that a place is dangerous from any causedeleted text begin , as aforesaid,deleted text end it shall be the inspector's duty immediately to order those engaged in the work at that place to deleted text begin quitdeleted text end new text begin ceasenew text end 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 deleted text begin 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 safetydeleted text end new text begin mitigate the identified hazardnew text end .

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. deleted text begin However,deleted text end 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. deleted text begin In the case of open pit mines in whichdeleted text end new text begin Wherenew text end mining operations deleted text begin 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,deleted text end new text begin have ceasednew text end 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. deleted text begin 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.deleted text end

Subd. 3.

Abandoned mines.

When deleted text begin anydeleted text end new text begin anew text end mine is idle or abandoned it deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin isnew text end 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 deleted text begin for more than ten yearsdeleted text end , 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. deleted text begin The notice shall be in writing and be served upon such person, firm, corporation, or fee owner by certified mail.deleted text end new text begin 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.new text end

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 deleted text begin set forthdeleted text end in subdivision 2, or which in the inspector's judgment does not constitute a safety hazard.

deleted text begin Subd. 5. deleted text end

deleted text begin Aquaculture exemption. deleted text end

deleted text begin 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. deleted text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 180.04, is amended to read:

180.04 REQUIRING EMPLOYEES TO WORK AFTER ORDER TO deleted text begin QUITdeleted text end new text begin CEASEnew text end ; LIABILITY OF EMPLOYER.

If deleted text begin anydeleted text end new text begin anew text end person is required to continue work in deleted text begin anydeleted text end new text begin anew text end place in which the inspector of mines has ordered employees to deleted text begin quitdeleted text end new text begin ceasenew text end work, deleted text begin as aforesaid,deleted text end except to do deleted text begin suchdeleted text end new text begin thenew text end work deleted text begin as may have been by the inspectordeleted text end required new text begin by the inspector new text end to be done in order to render deleted text begin suchdeleted text end new text begin thenew text end place safe, ordinary risks of mining excepted, the persons or corporations deleted text begin sodeleted text end requiring employees to work in deleted text begin suchdeleted text end new text begin thenew text end place shall be liable for all accidents causing injury or death to any employee arising by reason of deleted text begin suchdeleted text end new text begin thenew text end 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 deleted text begin minesdeleted text end new text begin mining operationsnew text end and machinery belonging deleted text begin theretodeleted text end new text begin to the mine owner, operator, or agentnew text end at all reasonable times by day or by night, but so as not to obstruct or hinder the necessary workings of deleted text begin such mines, and it shall be the duty of the owner, operator, or agent of every such mine, upondeleted text end new text begin the facility. Atnew text end the request of the inspector of mines, deleted text begin or assistant inspector todeleted text end new text begin the owner, operator, or agent of a mining operation shallnew text end furnish for inspectiondeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin :new text end

new text begin (1)new text end all maps, drawings, and plans of the deleted text begin minedeleted text end new text begin mining facilitynew text end , together with the plans of all contemplated changes deleted text begin in the manner of working the mine or any part thereofdeleted text end ; deleted text begin to furnish somedeleted text end

new text begin (2) anew text end suitable person, deleted text begin as the inspector may desire,deleted text end who shall be chosennew text begin by the inspectornew text end from a list containing at least three candidates, submitted by a majority of employees of the mine, to accompany the inspector through the deleted text begin mine, or any part thereof, and to furnish suitable ladders and otherdeleted text end new text begin mining operation;new text end

new text begin (3) any new text end necessary deleted text begin appliancesdeleted text end new text begin equipmentnew text end to make a proper inspection deleted text begin and to furnish upon request the inspector of mines withdeleted text end new text begin ; andnew text end

new text begin (4)new text end all necessary facilities for such entry, examination, and inspectiondeleted text begin , 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 deleted text end new text begin .new text end

new text begin Upon receipt of a new text end written request deleted text begin thereofdeleted text end made by the inspector of mines, deleted text begin suchdeleted text end refusal deleted text begin or neglectdeleted text end new text begin to permit the inspection or to furnish the necessary facilities for entry, examination, and inspection,new text end shall be deemed a gross misdemeanordeleted text begin , 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 offensedeleted text end .

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 180.08, is amended to read:

180.08 ACCIDENTS; NOTICE, INVESTIGATION.

deleted text begin When by reason of anydeleted text end new text begin Upon the occurrence of a reportablenew text end accident deleted text begin in any mine loss of life or serious personal injury shall occurdeleted text end new text begin ,new text end it deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin isnew text end the duty of the manager or deleted text begin superintendentdeleted text end new text begin designeenew text end of the mine, deleted text begin and in their absence the person or officer under them in charge of the mine,deleted text end to give notice deleted text begin thereof forthwithdeleted text end to the inspector of mines, new text begin as soon as practical but at least within one hour of stabilization of the accident scene, new text end stating the particulars of deleted text begin suchdeleted text end new text begin thenew text end accidentdeleted text begin , anddeleted text end new text begin . Upon notification,new text end the inspector shall, if the inspector deems it necessary deleted text begin from the facts reporteddeleted text end , go immediately to the scene of deleted text begin suchdeleted text end new text begin thenew text end accident and make deleted text begin suchdeleted text end suggestions and render deleted text begin suchdeleted text end assistance as the inspector may deem necessary in the premises and personally investigate the cause of deleted text begin suchdeleted text end new text begin thenew text end accident and take deleted text begin suchdeleted text end steps as the inspector may deem necessary for the safety of the employees of deleted text begin suchdeleted text end new text begin thenew text end 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 deleted text begin to serve in such casesdeleted text end .new text begin The requirement for accompaniment may be modified by a waiver signed by representatives from the employees, management, and inspector.new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 180.10, is amended to read:

180.10 REMOVAL OF FENCE; GUARD.

deleted text begin Anydeleted text end new text begin A new text end worker, employee, or other person who deleted text begin shall open, removedeleted text end new text begin opens, removesnew text end , or deleted text begin disturbdeleted text end new text begin disturbsnew text end any fence, guard, barrier, sign, or rail and deleted text begin notdeleted text end new text begin fails tonew text end close or replace or have the same closed or replaced again around or in front of any new text begin mine new text end shaft, pit, chute, excavation, cave, or land liable to cave, injure, or destroy, deleted text begin wherebydeleted text end new text begin whether bynew text end 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 deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin isnew text end 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 deleted text begin all acts, proceedings, and doings hereunderdeleted text end new text begin the activities of the mine inspectornew text end for each year ending December 31, stating deleted text begin therein among other thingsdeleted text end the number of visits and inspections made, the number of mines in operation, the number new text begin of mines new text end 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, deleted text begin the average wages for different kinds of work,deleted text end the number of accidents new text begin and description of accidentsnew text end , deleted text begin fatal or otherwise, the cause of such accidents,deleted text end and deleted text begin suchdeleted text end new text begin anynew text end other information deleted text begin in relationdeleted text end new text begin that relatesnew text end to the subject of mines and mining inspection as the inspector may deem deleted text begin of proper interest and beneficialdeleted text end new text begin pertinentnew text end to the deleted text begin mining interestsdeleted text end new text begin reporting dutiesnew text end of the deleted text begin statedeleted text end new text begin officenew text end .

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 misdemeanordeleted text begin , and for each offense, upon conviction, fined not less than $100 nor more than $3,000deleted text end .

Subd. 2.

Person in immediate charge.

deleted text begin Anydeleted text end new text begin Anew text end person who is in immediate charge of the working of any mine who fails to carry out deleted text begin anydeleted text end new text begin annew text end 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 misdemeanordeleted text begin , and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided in section 609.03deleted text end . 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 deleted text begin countydeleted text end attorney deleted text begin of the county in whichdeleted text end new text begin having gross misdemeanor jurisdiction for the location of the facility wherenew text end 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 deleted text begin hereunder failingdeleted text end new text begin under this chapter who failsnew text end to comply with the requirements of this chapter shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanordeleted text begin ; and,deleted text end new text begin .new text end Upon conviction deleted text begin thereofdeleted text end ,new text begin the inspector shall benew text end fined not less than $100 nor more than $3,000 and be dismissed from officedeleted text begin , anddeleted text end new text begin .new text end 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.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 180.06; and 180.09, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

Presented to the governor April 30, 2013

Signed by the governor May 2, 2013, 3:05 p.m.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes