The Kentucky Mining Board was created by the General Assembly and is charged with establishing criteria and standards for education and training required of prospective miners and all certified mining personnel. The board also reviews and approves all administrative regulations proposed by the department that relate to the mining of coal, penalties and miner certification.

• The board is responsible for decisions regarding the reinstatement of certifications for miners who violate Kentucky's drug/alcohol free status as detailed in KRS 351.120.
  
• The 2007 General Assembly enacted legislation to allow the Mining Board to enter into a reciprocal agreement with another state to allow a certified miner from that state to do similar work in Kentucky once certain conditions have been met.

The Mining Board consists of eight members, who must be citizens of Kentucky and from the coal industry in Kentucky. The board's membership reflects a fair representation from eastern Kentucky and western Kentucky, large and small operations, and union and nonunion coal mining operations. Board members are listed at the right.  They are appointed by the Governor and include:

• Three members representing management, nominated by the Alliance of Kentucky Coal;
• Three members representing labor, nominated by the United Mine Workers of America;
• One citizen member with knowledge of mining who is not a coal operator and is not employed in a supervisory or nonsupervisory position in a mine;and
• The director of the Division of Safety Analysis, Training, and Certification.

Seated, left to right:  Greg Damron, Kevin Vaughn, Jane Rice   Williams                                               
Standing, left to right: Jim Vicini, Tim Miller, William Chapman, Edgar (Butch) Oldham                                                                          

A quorum of the board consists of five voting members.  The board may act officially by a majority of those members who are present, except that no action can be taken without a majority of affirmative votes.

The board conducts monthly meetings, which are open to the public.  Please contact Beth Minch for meeting dates and locations.