NSW Dept of Planning and Environment

In 1989, the Coal Mining Inspectorate and Engineering Branch was located in the Coal Division of the Department of Minerals and Energy, along with the Coal Resources Branch and the Coal Geology Branch. These Branches reported to the Director of the Coal Division, who in turn reported to the Deputy Director-General (Minerals). After the Department’s restructure in 1996, the Coal Mining Inspectorate and Engineering Branch became part of the Mine Safety and Environment Division. From 1 January 1999 the Coal Mining Inspectorate and Engineering Branch was consolidated with the Mines Inspection Branch to form one Inspectorate known as Safety Operations.(20) This was a significant change for both Branches as the inspection of coal and metalliferous mines had been kept separate since the appointment of the first Examiner of Coalfields and the first Inspector of Mines back in the mid 1800s.© State of New South Wales through Museums of History NSW