Chapter 1. STATE MINE INSPECTOR

Safety showers and eye wash fountains shall be available in the areas where cyanide, caustics, or acids ar used or stored. Eye wash equipment shall be inspected and tested at regular intervals daily. Historical Note Adopted effective August 2, 1985 (Supp. 85-4). Amended effective…

Adequate fire protection and fire suppression apparatus shall be provided for all storage and mixing areas. Historical Note Adopted effective August 2, 1985 (Supp. 85-4).

A. “Blasting agent”: Shall mean any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and oxidizer, intended for blasting, not otherwise classified as an explosive, and of which none of the ingredients are classified as an explosive, provided that the finished product, as mixed and packag…

A. Persons handling cyanide salts or solutions during the operation, mixing, maintenance, and leaching procedures shall wear appropriate protective equipment consisting of, but not limited to, eye protection, water-resistant gloves, water- resistant body protection, water-resista…

All persons handling cyanide salts, solutions, or open containers or other hazardous chemicals shall be instructed in the proper use of personal protective equipment prior to use. Historical Note Adopted effective August 2, 1985 (Supp. 85-4). Amended effective July 6, 1993 (Supp.…

Chemical spills shall be immediately returned to circuit or rendered harmless in a way consistent with standards of the industry. Historical Note Adopted effective August 2, 1985 (Supp. 85-4). Amended effective July 6, 1993 (Supp. 93-3).

A. Any unplanned release of a cyanide solution that may pose a threat to the health or safety of any employee or the general public shall be reported to the State Mine Inspector as soon as possible. B. Any release of HCN gas of 50 ppm or more shall be reported as soon as possible…

Employees shall immediately report to their supervisor any leaks or spills of cyanide and any equipment failure within the cyanide circuit. The supervisor shall take immediate remedial action. Historical Note Adopted effective August 2, 1985 (Supp. 85-4). Amended effective July 6…

A. All lines and valves in cyanide circuits shall be identified. B. Potable water containers, sources, or outlets shall be identified. Historical Note Adopted effective August 2, 1985 (Supp. 85-4). Amended effective July 6, 1993 (Supp. 93-3).

Prior to or during any maintenance or repair work on any portion of the system, the disconnect switch shall be locked out, tagged, and the system tested. No persons other than the person placing the locks shall remove them. Historical Note Adopted effective August 2, 1985 (Supp. …

When cyanide solution is utilized inside an enclosed structure, an audible and visual HCN warning device shall be installed and set to activate at an HCN concentration of 10 ppm. Historical Note Adopted effective August 2, 1985 (Supp. 85-4). Amended effective July 6, 1993 (Supp. …

Ventilation capable of keeping the HCN concentration at or below 10 ppm shall be provided in all enclosed structures where cyanide, either dry or in solution, is used or stored. Historical Note Adopted effective August 2, 1985 (Supp. 85-4). Amended effective July 6, 1993 (Supp. 9…

Historical Note Former Rule 2:22; Repealed effective August 18, 1980 (Supp. 80-4).

The mixing tank shall be constructed in such a manner as to minimize any dust or gas generation. Historical Note Adopted effective August 2, 1985 (Supp. 85-4). Amended effective July 6, 1993 (Supp. 93-3).

A. The “make-up”/mixing solution shall be maintained at a pH of 12.0 or higher. The leaching solution shall be maintained at a pH of 10.5 or higher. B. A shift record shall be kept of pH levels and cyanide concentrations. These records shall be available upon request for inspecti…

A. Cyanide storage containers shall be stored in a secure and ventilated area. B. The secured storage area shall be posted with signs clearly indicating the hazard potential and safety precautions. Historical Note Adopted effective August 2, 1985 (Supp. 85-4). Amended effective J…

Cyanide shall not be stored or transported where it may become exposed to or mixed with acidic agents, nitrates, peroxides, or chlorates, or any agent capable of creating a hazardous reaction. Historical Note Adopted effective August 2, 1985 (Supp. 85-4). Amended effective July 6…

Leach pads, ponds, and open tanks containing cyanide solutions and any portion of an operation containing hazardous amounts of cyanide or other chemicals shall be fenced to restrict unauthorized entry by persons or entry by animals. Historical Note Adopted effective August 2, 198…

A. Suitable warning signs shall be posted at all gates and other points of entry to any cyanide leach operation. B. Signs shall be posted on fencing at a minimum of 100-foot intervals and at each corner and shall be clearly visible and maintained so they may be easily seen and id…

Empty, nonreturnable cyanide containers shall be flushed at least three times with a large volume of water and flushing shall continue until no cyanide remains in the drum. Drum labels shall be removed or obliterated and drums destroyed. The flush water shall be returned to the c…

Historical Note Former Rule 2:23; Repealed effective August 18, 1980 (Supp. 80-4).

A. Cyanide leach pads, solution ponds and other areas which may contain cyanide solutions within the circuit shall have an impervious liner of a material that will prevent its penetration by the cyanide solution. B. An overflow safety pond or similar solution retention area shall…

All lines from emergency shower, wash areas, or other cyanide waste sources shall be returned to the circuit. Historical Note Adopted effective August 2, 1985 (Supp. 85-4). Amended effective July 6, 1993 (Supp. 93-3).

All leach pads and solution ponds shall be inspected and maintained so as to prevent any accidental cyanide solution release outside the protected circuit. Historical Note Adopted effective August 2, 1985 (Supp. 85-4).

A. The operator shall give written notice to the State Mine Inspector prior to: 1. Abandoning the property, and/or 2. Suspending operations for more than 30 days, or 3. Closing the operation. B. The operator shall be responsible for treating and testing all pads, ponds or other c…

A. Tank trucks will be visually inspected for leaks before they are allowed to enter the plant. B. Off-loading shall be performed only when lighting is available. C. The off-loading pad shall be constructed of an impervious base material and be arranged so liquid spillage will dr…

A. All Class A, Class B, Class C explosives shall be kept in magazines which meet the requirements of this Section. This shall not be construed as applying to fuse lighters, fuse igniters, and safety fuses (slow-burning type containing a core of black powder). B. Detonators shall…

A. Magazines as required by this Chapter shall be of two classes; namely Class I magazines and Class II magazines. B. Class I magazines shall be required where the quantity of explosives stored is more than 250 lbs. C. Class II magazines may be used where the quantity of explosiv…

Magazines shall be detached structures located away from power lines, fuel storage areas, possible sources of fire and from inhabited buildings, public highways, passenger railways and other magazines in conformity with the American Table of Distances for Storage of Explosives as…

A. Magazines shall be constructed in conformity with the provisions of this Section or may be of substantially equivalent construction. Magazines for the storage of Class A explosives, other than black powder, shall be reasonably bullet-resistant, weather-resistant, fire-resistan…

A. Class I magazines shall be of masonry or wood covered with sheet metal, or of metal construction; or a combination of these types. Hollow masonry units used in construction required to be bullet-resistant shall have all hollow spaces filled with a dry sand/cement mix or well-t…

A. Class II magazines shall be of wood or metal construction or a combination thereof. B. Wood magazines of this class shall have sides, bottom and cover constructed of two-inch hardwood boards well braced at corners and protected by being entirely covered with sheet metal of not…

A. Containers of explosives shall be laid flat with top side up. Corresponding grades and brands shall be stored together in such a manner that brand and grade marks show. All stocks shall be stored so as to be easily counted and checked. Containers of explosives shall be piled i…