(a) It shall be the duty of the secretary to devote the whole of his time to duties of his office, and to see that the mining laws of the Commonwealth are faithfully executed. The secretary shall appoint, with the approval of the Governor, a deputy secretary for the anthracite division to assist with his duties. The secretary and the deputy secretary are hereby invested with the same power and authority as the inspectors to enter and examine any mine within the Commonwealth, and the works and machinery connected therewith, and to give such aid and instruction to the inspectors from time to time as they may deem best calculated to protect the health and promote the safety of all persons employed in and about the mines.

(b) It shall be the duty of the secretary to take charge of, and preserve in his office the annual reports of the mine inspectors, and transmit a synopsis of them, together with such other statistical data compiled therefrom, and other work of the department as may be of public interest, properly addressed to the Governor, to be transmitted to the General Assembly of this Commonwealth, on or before March 15 in each year. It shall also be the duty of the secretary to see that said reports are placed in the hands of the public printer or others equipped to reproduce same, for publication, on or before April 1 in each year; the same to be published under the direction of the secretary. In order that the secretary may be able to prepare, compile and transmit a synopsis of his annual report to the Governor within the time herein specified, the mine inspectors are hereby required to deliver their annual reports to the secretary on or before February 20 in each year. In addition to the annual reports herein required of the mine inspectors, they shall furnish the secretary monthly reports, and also such special information on any subject regarding mine accidents, or other matters pertaining to mining interests, or the safety of persons employed in and about the mines, as he at any time may require or may deem necessary in the proper and lawful discharge of his official duties. The secretary shall also establish, as far as may be practicable, a uniform style and size of blanks for the annual, monthly and special reports of the mine inspectors, and prescribe the form and subject matter to be embraced in the text and the tabulated statements of their reports.

The secretary is hereby authorized to make such examinations and investigations as may enable him to report on the various systems of coal mining in the Commonwealth, method of mining, ventilation and machinery employed, the circumstances and responsibilities of mine accidents, and such other matters as may pertain to the general welfare of coal miners and others connected with mining, and the interests of mine owners and operators in the Commonwealth.

(c) The board of examiners for the examination of applicants for mine inspectors and electrical inspectors in the anthracite coal mines of the Commonwealth, the boards for the examination of applicants for mine foreman, assistant foreman, mine examiner, and certificates, the boards for applicants for certificates of competency as miners, shall send to the secretary the manuscripts and all other papers of applicants, together with the tally sheets and the solution of each question as given by the examining boards, which shall be filed in the department as public documents for a period of time not less than eight years.

(d) The secretary shall keep in the department a journal or record of all inspections, examinations and work done under his administration, and copies of all official communications; and is hereby authorized to procure such books, instruments and chemicals, or other tests, as may be found necessary to the proper discharge of his duties under this act, at the expense of the Commonwealth. All instruments, plans, books and records pertaining to the office shall be the property of the Commonwealth, and shall be delivered to his successor in office.

(e) The secretary shall, at all times, be accountable to the Governor for the faithful discharge of his duties imposed on him by law, and the administration of his office and the rules and regulations pertaining to said department shall be subject to the approval of the Governor.

(f) No person who is acting as a land agent, or as a manager, viewer or agent of any mine, shall, at the same time, serve as secretary or deputy secretary under the provisions of this act.