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MINERAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
2045 Morse Road, Building H2, H3
Columbus, OH 43229
General Information 614-265-6633
FAX 614-265-7999
FAX 614-265-7998
Web: http://www.ohiodnr.com/mineral
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Mission Statement
To provide for the responsible development of Ohio's energy and mineral resources in a safe, environmentally sound manner.
Historical Background
In 2000, the Division of Mineral Resources Management was created with the consolidation of the ODNR's Division of Mines and Reclamation and the Division of Oil and Gas.
In 1995, the Division of Mines (created in the 1800s with the beginning of coal mining) merged with the Division of Reclamation (established in 1949) forming the Division of Mines and Reclamation.
In 1965, the Division of Oil and Gas was established within ODNR, transferring most of the existing regulatory authority over Ohio's oil and gas industry from the Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Mines.
Main Purpose
The Division of Mineral Resources Management regulates oil and gas production, surface and underground mining of coal and industrial minerals, and reclamation activities. It plugs abandoned oil and gas wells and restores abandoned mine lands, enforces mining safety laws, ensures protection of fresh-water resources, and maintains a database of oil and gas well owners.
- The Permitting, Hydrology and Bonding section reviews all permit applications to mine industrial minerals and coal, and to drill and plug wells for oil and gas; it verifies all bonding and surety requirements; and manages permit records, databases, and permit related information.
- The Field Inspection and Enforcement program enforces the laws regulating active mining, drilling and production activities to ensure the protection of citizens and conservation of environmental resources; and oversees land reclamation requirements to assure operators restore mine lands and waters to productive uses.
- The Technical Support Services program reviews and investigates the impacts of energy and mineral extraction in support of the Field Enforcement, Abandoned Mine Land, and Permitting programs in the following areas: underground injection of oilfield waste, orphan well plugging, hydrogeologic investigation, water and air quality analysis, soils assessment, archaeological assessment, and blasting compliance.
- The Abandoned Mine Land program eliminates health and safety hazards and cleans up lands and waters damaged by coal mining that occurred prior to today's stricter reclamation laws; including reclamation of underground mine openings, dangerous highwalls, dangerous mine subsidences, and clean up of hazardous and/or polluted water impoundments, acid mine drainage, burning coal refuse, and others.
- The Engineering and Design Services program provides AML project design, design consultant oversight, construction oversight, regulatory reviews of coal permit applications and revisions, complaint investigations, and any other engineering services needed by the division.
- The Mine Safety program promotes safe mining practices for the protection of miners through services that include inspections at surface and underground mines, focused on accident prevention; examination and certification testing; mine rescue support; and safety training.
Priorities
- Strive to strike a balance between environmental conservation, protection of the public health and safety, and Ohio's need for reliable, affordable energy and mineral resources.
- Regulate coal and industrial mineral mining, as well as oil and gas production in every Ohio County, including more than 800 active mines and 63,000 wells.
- Protect and conserve lands and waters by preventing negative mining impacts and requiring restoration as needed through enforcement.
- Assist citizens and communities with restoration of lands and waters severely degraded by pre-law mining activities.
- Respond to and investigate abandoned mine land emergencies and develop and implement construction plans to eliminate dangers.
- Support efforts to extinguish threats to the public or environment caused by oil, gas and mine emergencies.
- Protect miners and prevent mining accidents through inspection, mine rescue support, safety training, and knowledge and skills testing.
- Educate and inform Ohio's citizens about the division's role in responsible development of mineral and energy resources, conservation of the environment and protection of the public interest.
Advisory Board
DMRM functions are supported by the Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Council, the Council on Unreclaimed Strip Mine Lands, Mine Subsidence Insurance Board, and an informal advisory board on mine safety training.
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