Mining metal ores is high-hazard work: underground ground instability, dust, plant and confined working all engage the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and, for underground mines, the Mines Regulations 2014. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulates workplace safety in Great Britain. The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) regulates it in Northern Ireland.
On top of the workplace duties, opening or extending a mine needs planning permission, environmental permits and — where blasting is used — an explosives licence. Uranium and thorium ore mining additionally engages the radioactive-substances regime.
What you need to do
Work through the guides below in order. The spine covers running a safe mine and employing people. The permits guide covers the consents you need before you start. The checklist lets you confirm you have covered everything.
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Set up and run a safe metal ore mine
The universal spine. Follow this for your health and safety duties, mine-safety regime under the Mines Regulations 2014 and COSHH controls for silica and ore dust. It also covers work equipment, manual handling, fire safety, employers' liability insurance, equality and data protection.
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Get the permits and consents for metal ore mining
The pre-operational gateways. Follow this for minerals planning permission and environmental permits for mine-water discharge and extractive waste. It also covers explosives licensing for blasting, and the radioactive-substances permit for uranium and thorium ore.
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Confirm you have covered everything
Finish with the metal ore mining compliance checklist to confirm your obligations are met.
Your guides
- Set up and run a safe metal ore mine — the universal spine
- Get the permits and consents for metal ore mining — the pre-operational gateways
- Metal ore mining: compliance checklist — confirm you have covered everything
Legal basis
Primary legislation and key regulations
Read it on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab) legislation.gov.uk