(a) The State Mine Inspector shall devote his or her entire time to the duties of the office.
(b)
(1) It shall be the duty of the mine inspector to examine all mines as often as necessary and not less often than once every three (3) months.
(2) The employees of any mine, as contemplated by the mining laws of this state, shall have authority to call the mine inspector at any time in cases of emergency for the enforcement of the mining laws of this state.
(c) Inspections shall be made, and the mine inspector shall keep a record of inspections, which shall be included in his annual report to the Governor, of:
(1) The works and machinery used or operated by any mine;
(2) The state and condition of the mines as to ventilation, circulation, and condition of the air, drainage, and the number of accidents, injuries, or deaths occurring in or about the mine, the number of persons employed, and the extent to which the laws relating to mines and mining are observed; and
(3) The progress made in improvements for the safety and health sought to be obtained by the provisions of the mining laws of this state, together with all other such facts and information of public interest concerning the conditions of mine development and progress in this state as may be deemed useful and proper.
(d)
(1) Should the mine inspector find any violations of the mining laws of this state by any owner, lessee, or agent in charge of any mine, notice shall immediately be given to the owner, lessee, or agent in charge of the mine of the neglect or violation thereof, and, unless it is rectified within a reasonable time, the mine inspector shall institute a prosecution under the laws of the state.
(2) If the mine inspector finds any matter, thing, or practice in or connected with a mine to be dangerous or defective, which makes it unsafe for persons employed therein, notice in writing to the owner, lessee, or agent of the dangerous or unsafe condition shall be given, and the condition shall be remedied by the owner, lessee, or agent without unnecessary delay.
(e)
(1) For the purpose of making the inspection and examination as contemplated by this section, the mine inspector shall have the right to enter any mine at any reasonable time, by day or night, but in such manner as shall not necessarily obstruct the workings of the mine.
(2) The owner, lessee, or agent is required to furnish the means necessary for the entry and inspection.
(3) The inspection and examination, as contemplated by this section, shall extend to all coal mines where the mines are operated by shaft, slope, or drift.