HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1357

[(cc)] (O) "Slope" means an inclined opening in a
dipping coal or fireclay bed, and an inclined tunnel to a
coal or fireclay bed.

[(dd)] (P) "Superintendent" means the person who, on
behalf of the operator, has immediate supervision of a mine.

[(ee) "Survey" means the Maryland Geological Survey.

(ff) "Tunnel" means a level or inclined passageway
driven mainly through barren strata. It may or may not come
to the surface.

(gg) "Ventilating current" means a current of air
circulating throughout the mine excavation, containing not
less than 19.5 percent oxygen nor more than 0.75 percent
carbon dioxide.]

[(hh)] (Q) "Working place" means a room, breast, entry
crosscut, or pillar where [either] coal [or fire clay] is
being mined or extracted and where at least one miner per
working shift of the mine regularly is employed until the
place is finished or stopped.

7-203.

(a)  The Bureau shall supervise the execution and
enforcement of any law enacted for the health and safety of
persons and protection and conservation of property within,
about, or related to bituminous coal mines [or strippings]
in the State. To this end, it shall adopt and enforce
necessary rules and regulations after giving due notice.

(b)  The Bureau shall compile, publish, and distribute
to interested persons, the mining laws and rules and
regulations. The publication shall be made at reasonable
times to keep the laws and rules and regulations current.
The Bureau shall keep a record of any inspection or
investigation and a copy of any official communication or
record of work to be done. It shall preserve any report,
statistics, and information received relating to the
development of coal or other mining, or the enforcement of
the provisions of this title. [Any report relating to
inspection or investigation, and other pertinent mining
information shall be prepared at least quarterly and
distributed upon request to any person or organization
interested in mining conditions in the State.]

[(c) The Bureau may promulgate and distribute upon
request to any interested person or corporation engaged in
fireclay mining a copy of the applicable laws and rules and
regulations which it may promulgate relating to fireclay
mining and the operation of this type mine.

(d)] (C) The Bureau shall encourage and assist
reasonable efforts to improve mining methods and conditions