Mining & Natural Resources
Identifying and managing asbestos in mines, quarries, oil wells, and offshore platforms.
Types of Facilities
Mines
Underground and open-pit mining operations constructed before asbestos bans contain ACMs in ventilation systems, winding gear insulation, conveyor belt components, crusher housings, and surface processing buildings. Former asbestos mines present additional challenges of naturally occurring asbestos in exposed rock faces and tailings.
Quarries
Quarrying operations may encounter naturally occurring asbestos in certain geological formations, particularly serpentinite and ultramafic rock. Processing plants, workshops, and office buildings on quarry sites also commonly contain asbestos in roofing, insulation, and electrical installations.
Oil Wells
Onshore drilling operations and associated infrastructure including pump stations, compressor buildings, and processing facilities frequently contain asbestos in thermal insulation, gaskets, brake systems, and building materials, with particular risks during well abandonment and site decommissioning.
Offshore Platforms
Offshore oil and gas platforms built from the 1960s to the 1990s used asbestos extensively in fire protection systems, thermal insulation, pipe lagging, gaskets, and accommodation modules. Decommissioning ageing platforms presents significant logistical challenges for asbestos management in confined maritime environments.
The Challenge
The mining and natural resources sector faces a twofold asbestos challenge: the presence of asbestos-containing materials in ageing infrastructure, and the occurrence of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) in certain geological formations. Mining operations established before national asbestos bans used ACMs extensively in surface and underground facilities, including thermal insulation on processing equipment, brake linings on winding gear and haulage vehicles, gaskets in pumps and compressors, and building materials in workshops, offices, and welfare buildings. The harsh operating conditions in mines accelerate the deterioration of these materials, increasing the risk of fibre release.
Naturally occurring asbestos presents a fundamentally different challenge. Chrysotile, tremolite, and actinolite asbestos minerals can be found in serpentinite, ultramafic, and certain metamorphic rock formations. Mining, quarrying, tunnelling, or construction activities that disturb these formations can release asbestos fibres without any manufactured materials being involved. This is a particularly insidious risk because workers and communities may be unaware of the presence of NOA until geological surveys or air monitoring reveals elevated fibre levels. Countries with significant NOA deposits, including Australia, South Africa, Italy, and parts of the United States, have developed specific regulatory frameworks to address this risk.
Offshore platforms and oil production facilities compound the challenge with the added complexity of remote locations, confined spaces, and limited evacuation options. Platforms built during the 1960s through the 1990s contain asbestos in fire protection systems, pipe insulation, gaskets, and living quarters. Managing asbestos on an operational platform where hot work, drilling, and maintenance activities occur continuously requires sophisticated monitoring and management systems. As the global fleet of offshore platforms ages and decommissioning programmes accelerate, the scale of maritime asbestos management is growing rapidly.
Regulation in your country
In United States, asbestos was banned in 2024. Buildings constructed before 2024 may contain asbestos materials and require professional assessment before any renovation work.
View full regulation detailsCommon Asbestos-Containing Materials in Mining & Natural Resources
Mining operations, quarries, oil wells, and offshore platforms constructed before asbestos bans may contain it in the following locations and materials:
- Thermal insulation on boilers, kilns, dryers, and mineral processing equipment
- Brake linings and friction materials on winding gear, hoists, and haulage vehicles
- Gaskets and packing in pumps, compressors, valves, and high-pressure pipework
- Fire protection panels, blankets, and barriers in control rooms and accommodation modules
- Corrugated cement roofing and wall cladding on surface buildings and workshops
- Pipe lagging and duct insulation in ventilation and heating systems
- Electrical insulation boards behind switchgear, motor control centres, and junction boxes
- Conveyor belt components including idler roller seals and transfer chute linings
Services You Need
If you own or manage mining, quarrying, or oil and gas operations that may involve asbestos exposure, the following professional services are relevant:
Key Regulations
United Kingdom: The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 applies to all mining and resource extraction operations onshore. The HSE provides specific guidance through EH40 for occupational exposure limits. Offshore installations fall under the Offshore Installations and Wells (Design and Construction) Regulations, with additional asbestos management requirements from the HSE's offshore division. The duty to manage extends to all non-domestic premises including mine surface buildings, processing plants, and platform accommodation.
Australia: Australia's mining sector is governed by state-based Work Health and Safety Regulations, with Safe Work Australia providing national codes of practice for asbestos management. Given Australia's significant history as both an asbestos producer and a country with extensive NOA deposits, specific guidance addresses naturally occurring asbestos in mining and construction, including the National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management 2019-2023. Each state mining regulator imposes additional requirements for mine sites.
United States: OSHA standards 29 CFR 1926.1101 and 29 CFR 1910.1001 regulate asbestos exposure in mining operations. MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) enforces additional standards under 30 CFR Part 56/57. The EPA addresses naturally occurring asbestos through site-specific action plans, particularly in regions such as El Dorado Hills, California. BSEE (Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement) oversees asbestos management on offshore platforms in federal waters.
International: The ILO Convention C162 (Asbestos Convention, 1986) sets international standards for asbestos management in the workplace, including mining operations. The IMO guidelines address asbestos management in maritime structures including offshore platforms. Countries with significant mining sectors, including South Africa (OHS Act and Asbestos Regulations 2002), Canada (provincial mining regulations), and Chile (DS 656/2000), maintain sector-specific regulatory frameworks for asbestos management in extractive industries.
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