Purpose
The mission of the NIOSH Mining Program is to eliminate mining fatalities, injuries, and illnesses through relevant research and impactful solutions.
Organizational information
Mining health and safety research is conducted by the NIOSH Mining Program. Its organizational components include:
- Office of Mine Safety and Health Research
- Pittsburgh Mining Research Division
- Spokane Mining Research Division
Research facilities
Researchers conduct the majority of the work in the mining research program at two sites located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Spokane, Washington. In addition to laboratories for researching mining issues, including dust, noise, gases, ergonomics, electrical systems, worker behavior, and geological stresses in mining environments, these sites house many truly unique facilities and labs for addressing a wide range of mine safety and health problems.
Research partners
We collaborate with many national and international partners, including mining companies, industry associations, enforcement agencies, labor unions, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and academic institutions. NIOSH is part of the Global Mining Research Alliance which partners with mining research organizations in Canada, South Africa, and Australia. This alliance brings complementary capabilities together and allows partners to better leverage their resources in finding the solutions to mining health and safety problems.
Funding opportunities
To complement our intramural research program, we sponsor research and training through extramural programs. The creativity and special resources available in the extramural community make these programs an important component in achieving a national goal to have safe jobs and healthy workers.
The Mining Program funds specific research initiatives from time to time and announces them through the Federal Register and the NIOSH funding opportunities page.
History
We have a long and rich history of advancing mine worker safety and health. Our program began in 1910 when Congress created the U.S. Bureau of Mines. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Acts of 1969 and 1977 charged the Bureau of Mines with conducting mine safety and health research. Both NIOSH and the Bureau of Mines have contributed significant safety improvements to the mining industry.