Mining legislation requires the notification of certain events to HSE. In practice, notification should be made to HM Inspectorate of Mines[1]
Notification of mining operations
Regulation 6 of the Mines Regulations 2014 (MR14) requires the mine operator to notify HSE of the following, in writing, at least 28 days before a mine is worked:
- the name and address of the mine
- the name and address of the owner, and
- the name and address of the mine operator
The mine operator must also notify HSE, within 28 days of the event occurring, of
- any change in the name, address or location of the mine;
- any change in the name, address or location of the mine operator;
- the use of a mine for a purpose other than the extraction of mineral;
- the abandonment of the mine or a seam or vein system, shaft or outlet.
Notification of tips (regulation 65)
Any tip that represents a significant hazard, either by way of instability or movement is referred to in MR14 as a notifiable tip.
If the mine operator judges that a new tip is likely to create a significant hazard, they must inform HSE at least 30 days before starting tipping. Notification is not required where HSE has already been notified of a classified tip under the Mines and Quarries (Tips) Regulations 1971.
In the case of existing tips which were not previously classified, the operator must inform HSE within 30 days of a geotechnical specialist concluding that a tip is a significant hazard.
Within two months of a geotechnical specialist concluding that a previously notified tip no longer presents a significant hazard the mine operator must inform HSE.
Where there are several notifiable tips on the same site, a single, combined notification is sufficient.