Mining Technical Inspection Directorate
The Directorate of Mines Inspection was established in 2006 within the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan to monitor, control and inspect mining operations
The primary responsibilities of the directorate are:
- Enforcement of contracts, and safety norms in mining activities
- Inspect working areas, equipment, health and safety and sanitation facilities
- Financial and technical inspections of mining applications
- Issuing orders for the payment of fines and compensation resulting from mining operations
- Evaluation of damage and dangers in mines
- Survey, investigation, and collection of information on illegal mining
The inspection manual is specific to small-scale mining except the restricted minerals and the oil and gas sector, and is aimed at improving the efficacy of the existing inspection process in Afghanistan. This manual should be used by the Inspection Directorate of the Ministry of of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan for inspection and compliance assurances, and collection of information on illegal mining.
The main objective of inspection manual is to:
- Determine compliance status with regulations, clearance conditions and specificprogram requirements
- Verify the accuracy of information on each license
- Collect evidences to support enforcement actions
- Obtain information that supports the permitting process
- Verify the adequacy of sampling and monitoring work undertaken by the industry
- To advise the Ministry on matters regarding the mineral industry, relating to environment protection, pollution control, health and safety, and restoration and
- rehabilitation of mined-out areas
- Protect neighboring community and promote and monitor community development activities in mining areas
- Investigation on illegal mining
Types of Inspection
The Inspection Directorate is authorized for various inspections in accordance with the Law. These inspection types may or may not be required to be conducted through the main directorate in Headquarter or inspection units in provincial directorates.
• Routine Inspection:
this is a routine inspection that the Directorate may conduct to assure that the license holder is operating in compliance with the Minerals Law and with the conditions agreed in the license document, such as health, safety, and environmental conditions.
• Inspection Based on Complaint:
the Directorate is authorized to conduct inspection based on stakeholder’s complaint. The Directorate may gather samples of air, water, and/or soil for further analysis. This type of inspection includes surprise visits without advance notice, and the Directorate should provide recommendations to further improve the conditions.
• Legal Inspection:
legal inspection is carried in accordance with the Mining Law to assure the license holder does not operate after the end of the license period. This type of inspection can be carried out right before the license ends. The Directorate can provide recommendations on renewal of license, and meeting the conditions after the end of license as mentioned in the contract.
• Follow-up Inspection:
follow-up inspection is conducted when an enforcement problem, violation, show cause or suspension is issued and a specific condition needs to be complied with. This inspection is mainly conducted to verify compliance status of outstanding violations and authenticate the compliance to revoke or continue the suspension order.
• Emergency Inspection:
inspection that happens during emergency cases, such as earthquakes, flood, and others. The license holder usually lets MoMP know about such cases, and the Inspection Directorate arranges an emergency inspection visit as soon as possible.
• Illegal Mining Inspection:
inspection of illegal mining for the purpose of collection of information, investigation, and surveys.
• Inspection for Renewal:
the Inspection Directorate may conduct inspections on legal mining activities before the period of license ends for the purpose of renewal. The Inspection Directorate may recommend renewal of the license if there has not been any breach of law.