Pennsylvania Statutes Title 52 P.S. Mines and Mining § 70-702. Not applicable to new mine or opening new lift of a mine

(a) When a new mine is to be opened or when a mine that has been idle or abandoned is to be reopened, no work will be permitted until a plan showing he two openings or outlets is submitted to and approved by the district mine inspector and the Secretary of Mines and Mineral Industries.  1 The plan shall also show the method of mining, ventilation, drainage and any other information deemed necessary by the district mine inspector. Approval or disapproval of the plan is to be submitted by the Secretary of Mines and Mineral Industries to the operator in writing. Upon approval of the plan no other work shall be permitted in the mine until both openings have been completed and approved by the district mine inspector and notification of the completion of the two openings and approval by the inspector forwarded to the Secretary of Mines and Mineral Industries in writing.

(b) In any mine or section of a mine in which the second outlet has been rendered inaccessible by reason of the final robbing of pillars, no further mining shall be done until a plan for the final mining of remaining pillars has been approved by a commission of state mine inspectors appointed by the Secretary of Mines and Mineral Industries as provided for in this act.