New regs by Christmas
New and appropriate regulations for the mining and quarry sector have been floating around as an idea for several years; now they are happening.
In my first meeting with new Workplace Relations and Safety Minister, Iain Lees-Galloway, he confirmed he wants to see these in the place by the end of this year. Full marks to him for that.
We've already prepared a 300-page submission – don’t worry I’m not going to ask you to read it.
In short, some of the key things we are looking for include:
- Defining what exactly is a quarry – otherwise judges will determine this. It should, in MinEx’s view, exclude small scale extraction on farms, forests and civil construction sites
- Changes to CoCs to include:
- A new definition of a Quarry Manager – effectively an A Grade CoC
- A new definition of a Quarry Supervisor – effectively a B Grade CoC
- A new Manager of an Alluvial Gold Operation
- Clarification of roles of Ventilation officer, Electrical Superintendent and Mechanical Superintendent
- Revised application of Electrical and Mechanical Control Plans
- Revised requirements for escape ways in underground mines and tunnels
- Clarifying the definition of a suspended mine and a mine in care and maintenance.
MinEx will provide the lead here but if you’ve got any concerns or views, let’s hear them.
Wayne Scott
CEO
MinEx
wayne@minex.org.nz / 021 944 336