The Inspection and Engineering Group carries out Inspections as regards Safety, Health and Engineering aspects of Operating Mines, Construction Projects of Mines and Advanced Exploration Sites. The Group is also responsible for the Inspection of Tunnels, shafts, quarries and dams associated with mines and PNG Power’s Hydro Stations. The Group also approves use, handling and storage of Explosives at all sites associated with Mining and Exploration. The Mining (Safety) Act, the Mining Act, the Explosives Act and the Inflammable Liquids Act regulate these activities.
Inspector of Mines /Engineers based in Port Moresby and a Resident Inspector in Tabubil (Ok Tedi) carry out inspections to ensure that safe and worlds best mining techniques are practiced and that Risk assessment are carried out for each task to ensure that mine workers are not exposed to hazards. Inspectors also ensure that the Equipment, Machinery, Chemicals and Explosives comply with the relevant PNG, Australian and ISO standards. Fatal, Serious and near miss accidents/incidents are investigated whenever it is possible to do so. Inspection and Engineering group is short of experienced Inspectors, which I turn limits the statutory functions of Inspectors to carry out inspections and conduct Fatal, Serious and Potentially Serious Incidents on Mines. From Monthly Safety Statistic received from all the mines, a quarterly Safety Statistics Report is compiled, Loss Time Frequency Rate is calculated to give some indication of Safety Performance of each operating mine and of all the PNG mines grouped together.
The Group has Mining, Mechanica/Electrical and Drilling Engineering expertise; it makes a useful contribution in evaluation of new projects in conjunction with other Groups within the Mining Division. It advises MAB on matters related to mining. New Projects are evaluated from both the engineering and safety aspects and technical advice is given as and when it is needed. All construction plans and specifications at the mine sites are submitted to and approved by the Chief Inspector of Mines under the requirement of the Mining (Safety) Act and Regulations.
The Group is also responsible for approving plans for the safe transport, storage, handling and use of dangerous chemicals such as cyanide, acid and other classified dangerous goods.
The Group conducts all the statutory examination for Certificates of Competency and Permits for the Mining Industry and it associated works as required under the Mining (Safety) Act and Regulation. It also conducts examination for Shot Firer Licence.
The group maintains close liaison with the Department of Labour and Employment and Industrial Relations and the Department of Environment and Conservation on Safety, Health and Engineering issues.