Section 510-15 - Mines (Adm. Code Section 1915-A)The Department of Environmental Resources shall have the power, and its duty shall be:
(1) To see that the mining laws of the Commonwealth are faithfully executed, and, for that purpose, cause lawfully qualified mine inspectors to enter, inspect, and examine any mine or colliery within the Commonwealth and the works and machinery connected therewith;(2) To give such aid and instruction to the mine inspectors, from time to time, as may be calculated to protect the health and promote the safety of all persons employed in and about the mines;(3) To make such examinations and investigations as may be necessary to enable it to make recommendations upon any matters pertaining to the general welfare of coal miners and others connected with mining and the interests of mine owners and operators in the Commonwealth;(4) To seal or close or backfill abandoned deep or strip coal mines, to plug abandoned oil and gas wells, other than those governed by the Gas Operations, Well-Drilling, Petroleum and Coal Mining Act, to fill voids in abandoned coal mines, to drill bore holes, dig ditches or construct flumes which would relieve flooding or hazardous conditions caused by mine water, and to extinguish fires in abandoned coal mines and in culm banks, in those instances where such work is in the interest of the public welfare.1929, April 9, P.L. 177, art. XIX-A, § 1915-A, added 1970, Dec. 3, P.L. 834, No. 275, § 20, effective 1/19/1971.