SAFETY

STANDARD OF REVIEW

According to the CBJ Mining Ordinance (49.65.135(a)(4)), the CBJ shall require that:

• "The operator conduct all mining operations...so as to minimize, to the extent reasonably practicable, safety hazards..."

As a general criterion for judging conditional use applications, CBJ 490.15.330(f)(1) requires a finding that a project will not:

• "Materially endanger the public health and safety;"

BACKGROUND

Safety is considered as an aspect of several other mining topics in this recommendation document. In summary, safety questions arise and are dealt with in the following chapters:

• 1. Air Quality and Dust

  2. Water Quality

  3. Sewage

  4. Hazardous Materials

  5. Traffic/Transportation

  6. Noise

  7. Solid Waste

  8. Avalanche/Landslide

  9. Erosion

  10. Subsidence

  11. Reclamation

All of these chapters examine safety to people and the environment as part of analyzing the topic at hand. In each case, the enforceable project description addresses safety concerns or permit conditions are recommended. Taken together, the various threats to safety are comprehensively reviewed with regard to risks to human beings and to the environment at and near the mine site. Further, such threats as air pollution, hazardous material incidents, avalanches, and so on, are threats to mine workers on the surface as well as to the general public. One aspect of safety that is not addressed elsewhere is worker safety underground.

ANALYSIS

The safety of mine employees is regulated by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) which is a component of the U.S. Department of Labor. The MSHA has an office in Juneau and a full time inspector. The presence of inspection expands or contracts according to the volume of activity in the area. The primary mission of MSHA is worker safety underground and in mills and other above-ground facilities. Detailed regulations are published, covering equipment operation, blasting procedures, chemical handling, and other risks.

The CBJ has no corresponding safety program, and the Alaska Department of Labor, which has standards and inspectors for other industries, does not have a mine safety program of its own. The issue is entirely addressed by MSHA.

The CBJ has neither the means nor the authority to inspect the worker safety aspect of mining operations on a day-to-day basis. Nothing has emerged from the Kensington review to suggest that CBJ should. There is, however, one potential area of CBJ involvement regarding worker safety -response to emergencies.

The miners who encounter trouble underground or in plant facilities are to be extracted or rescued by their co-workers who are trained, equipped, and organized for such work. Coeur Alaska, Inc. employees have advanced EMT training. The Capital City Fire/Rescue (CCFR) is not equipped or trained to go underground to effect rescues and are specifically prevented from venturing underground by department policy. Underground mine fires require highly specialized training and certification. To date, CCFR has provided some general, above-ground fire training to workers at the mine site.

In the event of a mining incident, CBJ approach is to expect the mine operator to be the first line of response to an incident with CCFR providing support, and if necessary, reinforcements. The CCFR would provide air ambulance support to transport injured mine workers Bartlett Regional Hospital with costs reimbursed by the mine operator. Further, in the event of a major incident, CCFR would be the CBJ coordinator for delivery of services by other CBJ agencies.

STAFF FINDINGS

• 1. Is the large mine permit application complete with regard to the safety issue?

  CBJ 49.65.(e)(B)(1)

  Yes.

  2. Will the proposed mine project endanger the public health or safety?

  CBJ 49.15.330(f)(1)

  No, provided that the project is developed according to the applicant's project description and that recommended conditions associated with the other safety-related topics are adopted and incorporated into project design and operation.

  3. Will the proposed mine project be conducted in such a way that safety hazards are minimized to the extent reasonably practicable? CBJ 49.65.135(a)(4)

  Yes. Safety hazards are addressed throughout the applicant's project description. This, coupled with permit conditions in other safety-related topics, will minimize safety hazards.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends approval of this aspect of the project.

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