Home > Mining > View from the Top

Strict Regulations Govern Use of Explosives

Juan de Dios Garcia de la Rosa - Mining Subection of the General Directorate of Federal Firearms Registration and Explosives Control
Chief

STORY INLINE POST

Wed, 10/21/2015 - 12:18

share it

Q: What are the most crucial details for the proper storage of explosives in the mining industry?

A: The most important step is to possess a general permit for the use and storage of explosives, as this involves many responsibilities. Permit holders must consider physical and technical security, accounting, and administrative control in their operations. With regards to physical security, mining companies or contractors must ensure that the explosives cannot be stolen or misplaced. For this, they need to have many technological aspects in place, such as surveillance cameras, CCTV, alarms, and security personnel. As for technical security, permit holders must ensure that they meet the current standards and adhere to the recommendations provided by manufacturers as to the storage and use of explosives. Users must also keep strict records for administrative and accounting control purposes. These reports can be carried through logs, control cards, or on specialized software. These three conditions should be followed to avoid penalties. In addition, since 1997, SEDENA has demanded that manufacturers ensure all their products are traceable. This means that all the products manufactured must be labeled so that we are able to precisely know the route the product has followed. The identification code lets us know where the product was developed, the production batch it belongs to, how it was transported, and the place and time at which it was received. These codes provided all the information that SEDENA requires to avoid misplaced or stolen explosives.

Q: What are the most common reasons for denying mining companies a permit to use and store explosives?

A: First, companies must meet all the aforementioned requirements. They must also count with the approval of the governor and the mayor of the state and municipality in which they plan to carry out their blasting works. Mining companies must provide plans of the operations where they intend to implement the use of explosives and additional technical information. If companies meet all these requirements, the permits will be granted. If they fail to comply with any of these established requirements, the documentation will be returned and they will be asked to restart the process according to all the parameters established by SEDENA.

Q: How does SEDENA’s involvement continue once a permit has been granted?

A: Once the companies have covered all the administrative requirements, we will conduct physical inspections of their facilities. The objective of these semi-annual inspections is to ensure that companies are meeting the physical and technical security standards we have laid out. For instance, we make sure that the powder magazines are built with the right materials and that they comply with the security specifications which dictate how the explosives must be stored. These standards are very important since the safety of the general public depends on them. The state and municipality involved may also carry out their own processes to ensure compliance with permit requirements.

Q: What are the penalties mining companies may face if they do not comply with the stipulated regulations?

A: The administrative penalties that mining companies can face include suspension or termination of their permits. If companies are in breach of the law then financial sanctions can be handed down, depending on the seriousness of the legal transgression. It must be noted that any suspension or cancellation relates exclusively to the explosives, which means that companies can continue to operate. However, the suspension of such permits has a significant impact on their business as blasting is virtually essential to the productivity of the mining industry. When permits are suspended, mining companies have a few months to adhere to regulations. Once this compliance with our requirements and the broader legal framework is ensured, the permits will be reinstated.

Q: Does SEDENA somehow collaborate with the private sector to increase the safe use and storage of explosives?

A: The Federal Law on Firearms and Explosives includes all safety measures that should be followed by permit holders. We do not participate directly in improving companies’ facilities but we always suggest that they do not seek to save on surveillance systems, given the impact that the loss of explosives can have on their operations. We tell mining companies that they must make use of all available technology so as to meet the highest security and safety standards.

You May Like

Most popular

Newsletter