MINING LAW

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 309, 25 September 1919, Page 10

MINING LAW

SOME IMPORTANT AMEND. MENTS STATE COLLIERS SUGGESTED HOUSING OF MINERS Two important mining Bills were introduced in tho House of Representatives yesterday. They provide, among other things, lor the extension of State mining activities, the use of State colliers and the housing of miners. The Coal Mines Amendment Bill provides that the Minister of Mines lnn.y call upon the owner or occupier of -any coal-bearing lands to commence coalmining operations thereon within any specified time, being not less than six months, and to continue such operations on ail adequate scale to the satisfaction of the Minister. If the notice is not complied with, and if the land is taken within two years for a public work, the compensation payablo shall not exceed twice the value of tho land as recorded in the valuation roll, or a corresponding asm in the case of an interest less than tlie fee simple. The Bill further provides that the Minister of Mines may undertake prospecting operations on Crown or private land. The consent of the owners or occuniers will bo required in the case of private land. The Minister is empowered to purchase or hire vessels that may •be required for the carriage of coal derived from State mines. Theso vessels will be used primarily for tho carnage of coal, but may carry passengers and E °An important clause provides that the Minister of Mines may require coal mine owners to provide accommodation for miners and their families. The accommodation must be suitable in the opinion of the Minister, and must be provided on such terms and conditions as the Minister may approve. Failure to comply with a notice under this section will render the mine owner liable to a fine of JESO, with an additional .£!i for each day during which tho failure continues. ~ , The Coal Mines Act, 191-1, provided that a miner should not be put in charge of any place in a mine unless he was at least 21 years of age, and had'had at least three years' experience m underground oool*nuuii)£» of which fit lonst one year had been at tho face yith an experienced miner. This provision is now inado subject to tho proviso Lxci-pi by consent of the Minister.' Tho Bill proposes a number of machinery amendments to tho coal mines '"Tho Mining Amendment Bill proposes to extend the power of the Government to make advances to persons and . companies for' the development of milling. Tho purposes for which loans may lie xnado aro extended to include the lollowing:— , . . (1) Quarrying or coal-mining oporations, including the purchase ol -plant, construction of roads, railway lines or other means of access, and all otner incidental matters. (2\ Tho extraction, rectification, sloiage and transport of oil derivablo or derived from swamp or other land. (3) The erection, construction or repair of dwellings by the owners of any coal mine for tho use of employees. Applications for loans are to be referred to a, board, which the Minister of Mines is empowered to appoint. The Government's authority, to borrow for the development of mining is increased to .£50,000 per annum, and tluamount that-may bo granted by «a> of loan to any one applicant is increased to .£20,000. The Bill provides that prospecting .and boring 'or mineral oil or natural gan shall not, be conducted except, under license issued by the Minister. Tho conditions of tho liconso will be defined bv regulations. . Tho Bill proposes various amendments designed to secure increased safety in mines, and gives the Minister increased authority in dealing with water-races used for mining purposes. Provision is made for the protection of the surface of agricultural and pastoral land threatened by mining operations.