What document must miners have to legally operate equipment?

To legally operate equipment in surface mining, miners must possess an operator's license or certification. This requirement ensures that individuals have undergone the necessary training and demonstrated a competency level regarding the safe and effective use of specific machinery. Such licenses often entail a comprehensive understanding of safety protocols, the operation of equipment, and the regulations governing mining operations. The certification serves to protect both the operator and the environment, ensuring that only qualified personnel are entrusted with potentially hazardous equipment.

While other documents like environmental impact reports, job safety analyses, and equipment maintenance logs play important roles in mining operations—focusing on planning, safety assessments, and equipment reliability—they do not authorize an individual to operate machinery. Thus, possessing a valid operator’s license or certification is the key requirement that legitimizes a miner's ability to operate equipment safely and in compliance with legal standards.