In the US, The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is responsible for enforcing federal laws and regulations related to the manufacture, possession, and use of explosives, including at mine sites. When it comes to explosives, MSHA defers to the ATF for setting the rules, and for enforcing compliance with the rules.
Under US law, mine operators must have a valid Federal Explosives License or Permit (FEL/FEP) issued by the ATF in order to purchase, store, or use explosives at their mine site. The FEL/FEP holder must also have a system in place to track the receipt, storage, and use of explosives, and must keep records of all transactions involving explosives, including the names and addresses of suppliers and purchasers, and the type and quantity of explosives involved. Most sites use a paper based process to track explosives. This log book is typically stored in the magazine itself. And once an acquisition is completely depleted, the sheet used to track that explosives inventory item is taken back to a central location and stored there.
Additionally, The Explosives Safety and Security Branch of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is responsible for protecting life and property by enforcing federal regulations and guidelines, providing guidance and assistance to industry, and conducting research and development to improve safety and security in the handling, transportation, and storage of explosives.
Operators must also comply with the ATF’s storage and security regulations. and must comply with the ATF’s storage and security regulations, which include requirements for physical security, such as storage magazines (buildings or containers used for the storage of explosives) that are capable of being locked and that are located a certain distance from other structures.
If the mine uses ammonium nitrate, the operator must follow strict guidelines and regulations to prevent the unauthorized initiation, or detonation of ammonium nitrate, and to prevent the loss of ammonium nitrate due to theft, fire, or other causes.
Like all other countries, the US takes explosives tracking very seriously. Failure to comply with the regulations has resulted in non-compliant mines losing their FEL license — which basically eliminates their ability to mine, and results in the mine going out of business until a new owner with a valid FEL takes over and enforces proper compliance.
