Alliance Signed: April 28, 2003
Renewed numerous times, most recently: October 19, 2023
MSHA and the Essential Minerals Association (EMA, formerly the Industrial Minerals Association-North America, IMA-NA) first agreed to work together in 2003 to foster a culture of accident prevention at industrial mineral operations nationwide. The goal was to improve miner safety and health through cooperative efforts in education and training, technical assistance, mining industry outreach and communications. The initial work product was development of a Practical Guide to an Occupational Health Program for Respirable Crystalline Silica. Since then, the partners have developed a variety of safety and health education and training programs tailored for both industrial minerals operations and the general mining and mineral milling community, including applied engineering controls and best practices for miners and mine operators. The results of their joint efforts are routinely shared with others in the mining industry.