(1) There is hereby created in the division of reclamation, mining, and safety in the department of natural resources the office of active and inactive mines, the head of which shall be appointed by the director of the division. The office shall have the following duties:

(a) To assist, upon request, operators and miners in meeting the requirements of the "Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977", Pub.L. 95-164, as amended;

(b) To assist, upon request, operators in establishing, training, equipping, and coordinating mine rescue teams;

(c) To maintain state miner training and accident reduction programs as deemed necessary by the commissioner and to provide such programs to operators and miners when requested;

(d) To secure funding for state and local training, technical assistance, and technology improvement programs;

(e) Through the board, to examine applicants for positions for which certification is required by federal law and to issue certificates of competence to those applicants who qualify;

(f) To provide for permitting of underground diesel-powered equipment and for permitting the storage and use of explosives until a federal permit is required by law;

(g) To be a repository for mine information and maps, to collect mine data and records, and to preserve information regarding the history and progress of the mining industry in the state from the earliest date to the present time;

(h) To respond to operators' or coroners' requests for assistance in investigating injuries and accidents;

(i) To provide administration and clerical support for the commissioners, the director, and the board;

(j) To prepare an annual report on the mining industry in Colorado providing information on production, employment, safety, ownership, processing and distribution, location, type, and any other information necessary to guide and promote mining in the state;

(k) To cooperate with and utilize the Colorado geological survey, consistent with its duties in sections 23-41-203 and 23-41-205, C.R.S.;

(l) To cooperate with other state agencies and institutions in the implementation of articles 1, 21, 22, 23, 24, 32, and 33 of this title;

(l.1) To develop and administer the abandoned mine reclamation program consistent with the provisions of section 34-33-133; and

(m) To perform such other duties as specified in articles 22 to 24 and article 32 of this title.