Who must be notified before coal is removed within 500ft of an oil or gas well?

Notification to the Mine Health and Safety Technology (MHST) and the well operator before coal is removed within 500 feet of an oil or gas well is crucial for ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. This procedure is in place because the extraction of coal in proximity to oil and gas wells can pose significant risks, including the potential for well integrity issues, gas migration, and environmental hazards.

By informing both MHST and the well operator, the mine foreman helps to coordinate safety measures and operational management between different sectors. The MHST is responsible for overseeing mining operations and ensuring adherence to regulations, while the well operator has specific knowledge regarding the state of the well and can provide valuable input regarding safety protocols that must be observed during mining activities near their infrastructure. This collaborative approach serves to protect not only the workers involved in the mining process but also the surrounding environment and community.

In contrast, the other options, while important in other contexts, do not fulfill the specific legal and safety requirements mandated for coal mining activities in proximity to oil and gas wells.