The State Supervision of Mines (SodM) upholds a dual commitment: to ensure personal safety by preventing illness and injury, and to protect the environment by preventing irreversible damage. SodM fulfills a supervisory role during energy production and the use of the subsurface, both now and int the future
Beeld: © Sodm
Het SodM-directieteam van links naar rechts: Theodor Kockelkoren, Boukje van der Lecq-Meijssen en Francine Kiewiet de Jonge-Lulofs
SodM supervises activities such as mining, gas extraction, and offshore wind energy, ensuring that they are carried out safely and responsibly. SodM's expertise covers both technical and societal aspects. SodM’s responsibilities are set out in national legislation. SodM operates as an independent adviser of the government and conducts inspections and investigations.
Advice and Supervision
SodM is committed to ensuring safety and protecting the environment by advising the Minister of Climate and Green Growth (KGG). This includes solicited advice on, for example, production plans and license applications of mining companies, as well as unsolicited advice on policies and legislation. The relationship between SodM and the Ministry is stipulated in a relationship agreement. In addition, SodM advises the Minister for Reparations for Groningen on the safety of residential properties and personal safety in Groningen related to decades of gas production from the Groningen gas field. SodM uses independent scientific research and its supervisory experience to underpin its advice. The Minister is the competent authority and is ultimately responsible. In addition to fulfilling its advisory role, SodM conducts inspections and research as part of its independent supervisory task.
Scientific research
Although SodM does not conduct its own scientific research, it does formulate research questions and commission scientific studies from independent experts. SodM supervises and evaluates the research and uses the results in its advice. SodM collaborates with external experts and knowledge institutions such as TNO, KNMI, CBS, and RIVM. SodM has its own dedicated budget to finance research.
KEM
Additionally to SodM’s own research program, SodM takes part in the Mining Effects Knowledge Programme (KEM). This programme aims to gain independent scientific knowledge regarding the (harmful) effects of mining activities. The members of the independent KEM expert panel are internationally renowned professors.
Filing a report
SodM cannot monitor every location at all times. If you come across a dangerous or harmful situation, SodM encourages you to report such a situation. Anyone can report, including employees or concerned citizens. You can report by sending an email to info@sodm.nl.