The Office of Inspector of Mines is hereby created. From names certified by the Mining Board, the Director of the Office of Mines and Minerals shall select and appoint Inspectors as required to provide adequate inspection of all properties coming within the regulations of this Act. Their commissions shall be for a term of 2 years from July 1st provided any State Inspector in actual service and in good standing who has passed one examination under this Act may be reappointed for the next ensuing term without further certification; and provided, further, no person shall be eligible for appointment as a State Inspector of Mines who has pecuniary interest in any metal or mineral mines. He or she shall be at least 30 years of age, a citizen of the United States, a resident of the State for at least one year previous to his or her appointment and shall have been practically engaged in metalliferous or mineral mining for a sufficient number of years to be familiar with mining operations above and below ground and able to pass an examination for mine inspector before the State Mining Board. The State Inspector shall receive as compensation the rate of pay established for coal mine inspectors in the State of Illinois.