Federal Mine Safety And Health Act Of 1977 Definition

Also called the MINE Act, this law consolidated all federal health and safety regulations of the mining industry under a single statutory scheme. The Act covers all surface and underground mines, regardless of size, commodity mined, or method of extraction. The Act strengthens and expands the rights of miners and protects them from retaliation for enforcing their rights. The Act also defines violator penalties, the inspections process, and the procedure for closing particularly dangerous mines.