ISSUE DATE: 03/18/13

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P13-02

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

 Administrator for 

Coal Mine Safety and Health

GEORGE M. FESAK

 Director of Technical Support

SUBJECT: Temporary Suspension of MSHA Approval of the 50 psi MINOVA 

Gob Isolation Tekseal Design

SCOPE 

Underground bituminous coal mine operators, miners’ representatives, independent 

contractors, Mine Safety and Health (CMS&H) enforcement and Technical Support 

personnel, manufacturers of materials, and other interested parties need this 

information.

Purpose

This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) notifies the mining industry of an immediate,

temporary suspension of the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA's) 

approval of the 50 psi Minova Gob Isolation Tekseal design (50G-03.0). This PIB also 

informs the mining industry of the need to immediately increase inspections of these 

newly-constructed Minova seals.

Information

Until further notice, MSHA has suspended its approval of the 50 psi Minova Gob 

Isolation Tekseal design (50G-03.0) in response to a request from Minova. MSHA has 

taken this action to reduce risk to underground coal miners from Minova seals that are 

deficient as determined by in-situ testing performed by Minova following their prescribed 

testing protocol. 

Mine operators with an approved 50 psi Minova Gob Isolation Tekseal design (50G03.0) in their ventilation plan must cease construction of these seals immediately. 

The 50 psi Minova Mainline Tekseal design (50M-02.0), 120-psi Minova Gob Tekseal 

design (120G-05.0), and the 120-psi Minova Mainline TekSeal design (120M-02.0) 

could be used (along with other approved seal designs) in lieu of the 50-psi Minova Gob 

Isolation TekSeal (50G-03.0).

Additionally, within a 60 day period from the date of issuance of this PIB, mine operators 

must perform the in-situ testing as prescribed by Minova’s testing protocol on accessible 
50-psi Minova Gob Isolation Tekseals that passed the standard quality control tests. 

These in-situ test results must be provided to the District Manager within seven days 

after commencement of the in-situ testing. Any 50-psi Minova Gob Isolation Seal that 

does not pass Step 1 of Minova’s protocol will be deemed deficient and must be 

replaced. In-situ testing using Minova’s protocol must be completed withing the 60-day 

time period. 

Background

On July 17, 2012, an MSHA, Technical Support specialist, along with Minova 

representatives, examined the 2nd Right set of 50-psi Minova Gob Isolation Tekseals 

(50G-03.0) at Bull Mountain Mine. Several of the seals failed to pass the in-situ testing 

performed by Minova personnel following Minova’s prescribed testing protocol. Based 

on Minova’s seal design and testing protocol performed on the longwall gob isolation 

seals at the Bull Mountain Mine, these seals were determined to be deficient in cured 

strength and inadequate to protect underground coal miners’ safety. MSHA notified 

Minova of the problem found with the integrity of the Minova 50-psi Gob Tekseal Design 

(50G-03.0). As a result of these deficient seals and the cause not yet determined, 

MSHA has concerns with the design methodology used in the approved plan. 

This PIB applies to the following Minova seal with an MSHA design approval (formerly 

posted on MSHA's web page): 

• 50G-03.0 MINOVA Gob Isolation Tekseal

Authority

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended, 30 U.S.C. § 801 et seq.; 

and 30 C.F.R. §§ 75.335, 75.360(b)(5), and 75.364 (b)(4).

Issuing Office and Contact Persons

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Safety Division

Erik Sherer, (202) 693-9523

E-mail: sherer.hubert@dol.gov

Technical Support, Pittsburgh Safety and Health Technology Center

John Urosek, (412) 386-6936

E-mail: urosek.john@dol.gov

Distribution

MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders

Underground Coal Mine Operators

Miners' Representatives

Contractors

Special Interest Groups 

Manufacturers