Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Notification of Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres, 66454-66455 [2024-18181]
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66454
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2024 / Notices
actions to be taken to ensure safety of
personnel.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments
concerning the proposed information
collection related to Underground
Retorts. MSHA is particularly interested
in comments that:
• Evaluate whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Agency, including whether the
information has practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA’s
estimate of the burden of the collection
of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
• Suggest methods to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who
are to respond, including through the
use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology,
e.g., permitting electronic submission of
responses.
The information collection request
will be available on https://
www.regulations.gov. MSHA cautions
the commenter against providing any
information in the submission that
should not be publicly disclosed. Full
comments, including personal
information provided, will be made
available on https://
www.regulations.gov and https://
www.reginfo.gov.
The public may also examine publicly
available documents at DOL–MSHA,
Office of Standards, Regulations and
Variances, 201 12th Street South, 4th
Floor West, Arlington, VA 22202–5452.
Sign in at the receptionist’s desk on the
4th Floor via the West elevator. Before
visiting MSHA in person, call 202–693–
9455 to make an appointment, in
keeping with the Department of Labor’s
COVID–19 policy. Special health
precautions may be required.
Questions about the information
collection requirements may be directed
to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION section of this notice.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
III. Current Actions
This information collection request
concerns provisions for Underground
Retorts. MSHA has updated the data
with respect to the number of
respondents, responses, time burden,
and burden costs supporting this
information collection request from the
previous information collection request.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:25 Aug 14, 2024
Jkt 262001
Type of Review: Extension, without
change, of a currently approved
collection.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health
Administration.
OMB Number: 1219–0096.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit.
Number of Annual Respondents: 1.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Annual Responses: 1.
Annual Time Burden: 160 hours.
Annual Other Burden Costs: $0.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice will be summarized and
included in the request for Office of
Management and Budget approval of the
proposed information collection
request; they will become a matter of
public record and be available at https://
www.reginfo.gov.
Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Certifying Officer, Mine Safety and Health
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024–18184 Filed 8–14–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–43–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219–0103]
Proposed Extension of Information
Collection; Notification of Methane
Detected in Underground Metal and
Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres
Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
AGENCY:
The Department of Labor
(DOL), as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent
burden, conducts a pre-clearance
request for comment to provide the
general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on
proposed collections of information, in
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995. This request
helps to ensure that: requested data can
be provided in the desired format;
reporting burden (time and financial
resources) is minimized; collection
instruments are clearly understood; and
the impact of collection requirements on
respondents can be properly assessed.
The Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) is soliciting
comments on the information collection
entitled Notification of Methane
Detected in Underground Metal and
Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres.
DATES: All comments must be received
on or before October 15, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the
information collection requirements of
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00113
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
this notice may be sent by any of the
methods listed below. Please note that
late comments received after the
deadline will not be considered.
• Federal E-Rulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments for docket number MSHA–
2024–0016.
• Mail/Hand Delivery: DOL–MSHA,
Office of Standards, Regulations, and
Variances, 201 12th Street South, 4th
Floor West, Arlington, VA 22202–5452.
Before visiting MSHA in person, call
202–693–9455 to make an appointment,
in keeping with the Department of
Labor’s COVID–19 policy. Special
health precautions may be required.
• MSHA will post all comments as
well as any attachments, except for
information submitted and marked as
confidential, in the docket at https://
www.regulations.gov.
S.
Aromie Noe, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances,
MSHA, at
MSHA.information.collections@dol.gov
(email); (202) 693–9440 (voice); or (202)
693–9441 (facsimile). These are not tollfree numbers.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
I. Background
Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine
Safety and Health Act of 1977, as
amended (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 813(h),
authorizes MSHA to collect information
necessary to carry out its duty in
protecting the safety and health of
miners. Further, section 101(a) of the
Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 811(a), authorizes
the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to
develop, promulgate, and revise, as may
be appropriate, improved mandatory
health or safety standards for the
protection of life and prevention of
injuries in coal, metal and nonmetal
mines.
In order to fulfil the statutory
mandates to protect miners’ health and
safety, MSHA requires the collection of
information entitled Notification of
Methane Detected in Underground
Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres.
The information collection addressed by
this notice is intended to ensure that all
underground mines, and the surface
mills of Subcategory I–C mines
(gilsonite), protect miners against the
hazards of methane and dusts
containing volatile matter.
Methane is a flammable gas found in
underground mines in the United
States. Although methane is often
associated with underground coal
mines, it also occurs in some metal and
nonmetal (MNM) mines. Under 30 CFR
E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM
15AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2024 / Notices
57.22003, underground MNM mines are
categorized according to the potential to
liberate methane. Methane is a colorless,
odorless, tasteless gas, and it tends to
rise to the roof of a mine because it is
lighter than air. Although methane itself
is nontoxic, its presence reduces the
oxygen content by dilution when mixed
with air and, consequently, can act as an
asphyxiant when present in large
quantities. Methane may enter the
mining environment from a variety of
sources including fractures, faults, or
shear zones overlying or underlying the
strata that surround the ore body, or
from the ore body itself. It may occur as
an occluded gas within the ore body.
Methane mixed with air is explosive in
the range of 5 to 15 percent, provided
that 12 percent or more oxygen is
present at room temperature. The
presence of dust containing volatile
matter in the mine atmosphere may
further elevate the explosive potential of
methane in a mine. Section 103(i) of the
Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 813(i), requires
additional inspections to be conducted
at mines depending on the amount of
methane liberated from a mine.
i. Notifications to MSHA
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Under 30 CFR 57.22004(c), mine
operators of underground MNM mines
must notify MSHA as soon as possible
if any of the following events occur: (a)
there is an outburst that results in 0.25
percent or more methane in the mine
atmosphere, (b) there is a blowout that
results in 0.25 percent or more methane
in the mine atmosphere, (c) there is an
ignition of methane, or (d) air sample
results indicate 0.25 percent or more
methane in the mine atmosphere of a I–
B, I–C, II–B, V–B, or Category VI mine.
Under 30 CFR 57.22231 and 57.22239,
mine operators must notify MSHA
immediately if methane reaches 2.0
percent in a Category IV mine or if
methane reaches 0.25 percent in the
mine atmosphere of a Subcategory I–B,
II–B, V–B, or VI mine as defined in
section 57.22003. Under 30 CFR
57.22231, underground MNM mine
operators are required to make changes
to improve ventilation if methane
reaches 0.25 percent in the mine
atmosphere. Under 30 CFR 57.22239, if
methane reaches 2.0 percent in the mine
atmosphere, mine operators are required
to withdraw all persons, other than
competent persons necessary to make
ventilation changes, from the mine until
methane is reduced to less than 0.5
percent in a Category IV mine. Although
the standards do not specify how MSHA
is to be notified, MSHA anticipates that
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:25 Aug 14, 2024
Jkt 262001
the notifications would be made by
telephone.
ii. Records of Weekly Certification
Under 30 CFR 57.22229(a) and
57.22230(a), the mine atmosphere must
be tested for methane and/or carbon
dioxide at least once every seven days
by a competent person or atmospheric
monitoring system, or a combination of
both. Under 30 CFR 57.2229,
underground MNM mines categorized
as I–A, III, and V–A mines are required
to test the atmosphere for both methane
and carbon dioxide. Under 30 CFR
57.22230, underground MNM mines
categorized as II–A mines are required
to test the atmosphere for methane.
Under 30 CFR 57.22229(d) and
57.22230(c), the person performing the
tests must certify by signature and date
that the tests have been conducted.
Certifications of examinations shall be
kept for at least one year and made
available to authorized representatives
of the Secretary.
iii. Informing All Affected Miners
Under 30 CFR 57.22229(c) and
57.22230(b), mine operators must
inform affected miners and take
corrective actions when examinations
disclose hazardous conditions.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments
concerning the proposed information
collection related to Notification of
Methane Detected in Underground
Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres.
MSHA is particularly interested in
comments that:
• Evaluate whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Agency, including whether the
information has practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA’s
estimate of the burden of the collection
of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
• Suggest methods to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who
are to respond, including through the
use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology,
e.g., permitting electronic submission of
responses.
The information collection request
will be available on https://
www.regulations.gov. MSHA cautions
the commenter against providing any
PO 00000
Frm 00114
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
66455
information in the submission that
should not be publicly disclosed. Full
comments, including personal
information provided, will be made
available on https://
www.regulations.gov and https://
www.reginfo.gov.
The public may also examine publicly
available documents at DOL–MSHA,
Office of Standards, Regulations and
Variances, 201 12th Street South, 4th
Floor West, Arlington, VA 22202–5452.
Sign in at the receptionist’s desk on the
4th Floor via the West elevator. Before
visiting MSHA in person, call 202–693–
9455 to make an appointment, in
keeping with the Department of Labor’s
COVID–19 policy. Special health
precautions may be required.
Questions about the information
collection requirements may be directed
to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
notice.
III. Current Actions
This information collection request
concerns provisions for Notification of
Methane Detected in Underground
Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres.
MSHA has updated the data with
respect to the number of respondents,
responses, time burden, and burden
costs supporting this information
collection request from the previous
information collection request.
Type of Review: Extension, without
change, of a currently approved
collection.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health
Administration.
OMB Number: 1219–0103.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit.
Number of Annual Respondents: 4.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Annual Responses: 213.
Annual Time Burden: 18 hours.
Annual Other Burden Costs: $0.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice will be summarized and
included in the request for Office of
Management and Budget approval of the
proposed information collection
request; they will become a matter of
public record and be available at https://
www.reginfo.gov.
Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Certifying Officer, Mine Safety and Health
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024–18181 Filed 8–14–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–43–P
E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM
15AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 158 (Thursday, August 15, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66454-66455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-18181]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0103]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Notification of
Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), as part of its continuing
effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-
clearance request for comment to provide the general public and Federal
agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed collections of
information, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
This request helps to ensure that: requested data can be provided in
the desired format; reporting burden (time and financial resources) is
minimized; collection instruments are clearly understood; and the
impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly
assessed. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is
soliciting comments on the information collection entitled Notification
of Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres.
DATES: All comments must be received on or before October 15, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements
of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below. Please
note that late comments received after the deadline will not be
considered.
Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments for docket
number MSHA-2024-0016.
Mail/Hand Delivery: DOL-MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, 4th Floor West,
Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Before visiting MSHA in person, call 202-693-
9455 to make an appointment, in keeping with the Department of Labor's
COVID-19 policy. Special health precautions may be required.
MSHA will post all comments as well as any attachments,
except for information submitted and marked as confidential, in the
docket at https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: S. Aromie Noe, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at
[email protected] (email); (202) 693-9440 (voice);
or (202) 693-9441 (facsimile). These are not toll-free numbers.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977,
as amended (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 813(h), authorizes MSHA to collect
information necessary to carry out its duty in protecting the safety
and health of miners. Further, section 101(a) of the Mine Act, 30
U.S.C. 811(a), authorizes the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to
develop, promulgate, and revise, as may be appropriate, improved
mandatory health or safety standards for the protection of life and
prevention of injuries in coal, metal and nonmetal mines.
In order to fulfil the statutory mandates to protect miners' health
and safety, MSHA requires the collection of information entitled
Notification of Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine
Atmospheres. The information collection addressed by this notice is
intended to ensure that all underground mines, and the surface mills of
Subcategory I-C mines (gilsonite), protect miners against the hazards
of methane and dusts containing volatile matter.
Methane is a flammable gas found in underground mines in the United
States. Although methane is often associated with underground coal
mines, it also occurs in some metal and nonmetal (MNM) mines. Under 30
CFR
[[Page 66455]]
57.22003, underground MNM mines are categorized according to the
potential to liberate methane. Methane is a colorless, odorless,
tasteless gas, and it tends to rise to the roof of a mine because it is
lighter than air. Although methane itself is nontoxic, its presence
reduces the oxygen content by dilution when mixed with air and,
consequently, can act as an asphyxiant when present in large
quantities. Methane may enter the mining environment from a variety of
sources including fractures, faults, or shear zones overlying or
underlying the strata that surround the ore body, or from the ore body
itself. It may occur as an occluded gas within the ore body. Methane
mixed with air is explosive in the range of 5 to 15 percent, provided
that 12 percent or more oxygen is present at room temperature. The
presence of dust containing volatile matter in the mine atmosphere may
further elevate the explosive potential of methane in a mine. Section
103(i) of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 813(i), requires additional
inspections to be conducted at mines depending on the amount of methane
liberated from a mine.
i. Notifications to MSHA
Under 30 CFR 57.22004(c), mine operators of underground MNM mines
must notify MSHA as soon as possible if any of the following events
occur: (a) there is an outburst that results in 0.25 percent or more
methane in the mine atmosphere, (b) there is a blowout that results in
0.25 percent or more methane in the mine atmosphere, (c) there is an
ignition of methane, or (d) air sample results indicate 0.25 percent or
more methane in the mine atmosphere of a I-B, I-C, II-B, V-B, or
Category VI mine.
Under 30 CFR 57.22231 and 57.22239, mine operators must notify MSHA
immediately if methane reaches 2.0 percent in a Category IV mine or if
methane reaches 0.25 percent in the mine atmosphere of a Subcategory I-
B, II-B, V-B, or VI mine as defined in section 57.22003. Under 30 CFR
57.22231, underground MNM mine operators are required to make changes
to improve ventilation if methane reaches 0.25 percent in the mine
atmosphere. Under 30 CFR 57.22239, if methane reaches 2.0 percent in
the mine atmosphere, mine operators are required to withdraw all
persons, other than competent persons necessary to make ventilation
changes, from the mine until methane is reduced to less than 0.5
percent in a Category IV mine. Although the standards do not specify
how MSHA is to be notified, MSHA anticipates that the notifications
would be made by telephone.
ii. Records of Weekly Certification
Under 30 CFR 57.22229(a) and 57.22230(a), the mine atmosphere must
be tested for methane and/or carbon dioxide at least once every seven
days by a competent person or atmospheric monitoring system, or a
combination of both. Under 30 CFR 57.2229, underground MNM mines
categorized as I-A, III, and V-A mines are required to test the
atmosphere for both methane and carbon dioxide. Under 30 CFR 57.22230,
underground MNM mines categorized as II-A mines are required to test
the atmosphere for methane. Under 30 CFR 57.22229(d) and 57.22230(c),
the person performing the tests must certify by signature and date that
the tests have been conducted. Certifications of examinations shall be
kept for at least one year and made available to authorized
representatives of the Secretary.
iii. Informing All Affected Miners
Under 30 CFR 57.22229(c) and 57.22230(b), mine operators must
inform affected miners and take corrective actions when examinations
disclose hazardous conditions.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to Notification of Methane Detected in Underground
Metal and Nonmetal Mine Atmospheres. MSHA is particularly interested in
comments that:
Evaluate whether the collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency,
including whether the information has practical utility;
Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA's estimate of the burden of
the collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be collected; and
Minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submission of responses.
The information collection request will be available on https://www.regulations.gov. MSHA cautions the commenter against providing any
information in the submission that should not be publicly disclosed.
Full comments, including personal information provided, will be made
available on https://www.regulations.gov and https://www.reginfo.gov.
The public may also examine publicly available documents at DOL-
MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances, 201 12th Street
South, 4th Floor West, Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Sign in at the
receptionist's desk on the 4th Floor via the West elevator. Before
visiting MSHA in person, call 202-693-9455 to make an appointment, in
keeping with the Department of Labor's COVID-19 policy. Special health
precautions may be required.
Questions about the information collection requirements may be
directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section of this notice.
III. Current Actions
This information collection request concerns provisions for
Notification of Methane Detected in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mine
Atmospheres. MSHA has updated the data with respect to the number of
respondents, responses, time burden, and burden costs supporting this
information collection request from the previous information collection
request.
Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved
collection.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
OMB Number: 1219-0103.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Annual Respondents: 4.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Annual Responses: 213.
Annual Time Burden: 18 hours.
Annual Other Burden Costs: $0.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget
approval of the proposed information collection request; they will
become a matter of public record and be available at https://www.reginfo.gov.
Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Certifying Officer, Mine Safety and Health Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-18181 Filed 8-14-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
