As a State inspectorate, the State Supervision of Mines (SSM) monitors all activities connected with the detection and extraction of minerals. Central to this are safety, healthy and environmental factors and efficient extraction and ground work. Mineral extraction in the Netherlands is amongst the safest in the world, with SSM making an important contribution to this by ensuring compliance with statutory rules relating to the detection, extraction, storage and transport of minerals. The Minister for Economic Affairs is responsible for the activities of SSM.
Legal framework
Mining legislation in the Netherlands can be traced back to 1810 when Napoleon introduced the first Mining Act, the same year as the State Supervision of Mines was established, making the service almost 200 years old and one of the oldest government services. 2003 saw the entry into force of a new Mining Act. SSM is not only responsible for compliance with the Mining Act, but also for health and safety and environmental legislation and regulations.
Acts
The most important acts that are monitored by SSM are the Mining Act, Working Conditions Act, Environmental Management Act, Working Hours Act, Nuclear Energy Act, Chemical Substances Act, Commodities Act, Soil Protection Act, Noise Abatement Act, Air Pollution Act, Surface Waters Act, Marine Pollution Act, Water Supply Act and Gas Act (article 8, safety).
Please visit http://www.overheid.nl/ for the applicable legislation (see Wet- en regelgeving).
Key tasks
State Supervision of Mines has six key tasks:
- Supervising compliance with relevant legislation connected with the detection and extraction of minerals and geo-thermal energy, and storage of these chemicals
- Supervising compliance with the Gas Act in the field of safety of gas transport networks
- Making recommendations to the Minister of Economic Affairs
- Providing independent advice regarding proposed policy
- Informing members of the government and policy directors about existing policy and relevant developments abroad
- Contributing to policy evaluations
In addition, SSM informs about risk management and investigates any accidents.
Operating Procedure
SSM monitors mining companies and their management of safety, health and the environment. This operating procedure is described in the document Strategy & Programme 2007-2011.
SSM monitors in three ways:
- Pro-active: SSM examines aspects of safety, health and environment prior to new activities taking place
- Preventative: SSM requires all mining companies to maintain a well documented quality system for company processes, a safety and health document and a company environment plan SSM also carries out inspections and audits
- Reactive: SSM investigates infringements, accidents and hazardous situations and takes measures accordingly. These activities have been laid down in the form of the intervention policy
National cooperation
SSM works closely alongside other ministries including the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (Working conditions), the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (Environmental Protection) and the Public Prosecutor. Additionally, SSM retains close contact with organisations such as the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (Construction and Foundation) and associations including IRO, IADC, NOGEPA, VELIN and environmental organisations. Also enforcement partners such as inspection services (AI, I-Vrom, IVW, AT e.a.) and bodies including the Coastguard, National Telecoms Agency and the Earthquake Technical Platform. SSM also keeps in close contact with mineral extraction companies and transporters, such as oil and gas companies, salt producers, contractors and pipeline companies.
International cooperation
An important international cooperative venture for SSM is the North Sea Offshore Authorities Forum (NSOAF). Here, the services of colleagues from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Denmark, German, Sweden and the Faroe Islands are brought together alongside those of SSM. SSM is also a member of the International Regulators Forum (IRF) and takes part in the OSPAR Commission consultation, protecting the environment in the North-Eastern Atlantic. Additionally, SSM works on an international level with organisations including the German Mining Authority in the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (old shafts), the French DRIRE (supervision of salt extraction) and the British CEFAS (environment and fishing).
