ISSUE DATE: 07/17/09 

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P09-13 

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

 Administrator for 

 Coal Mine Safety and Health 

SUBJECT: Re-Issue P04-06 - Hazards Associated with Surface Mines 

 Intersecting Abandoned or Underground Workings 

Scope

This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) applies to surface coal mine operators, miners’ 

representatives, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforcement 

personnel, and other interested parties. 

Purpose

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform the mining community about the hazards 

associated with oxygen deficiency and methane accumulation in pit areas following 

intersection with underground mine workings. In addition, this PIB re-emphasizes the 

requirements of Title 30 Code of Federal Regulations (30 C.F.R.) § 77.1713 and 30 C.F.R. 

§ 77.1200. 

Background

On June 18, 2003, an inundation of gas occurred at a surface coal mine. An MSHA 

inspector arrived to conduct an inspection. Finding no miners in the general area, the 

inspector drove into the pit (active working area) where his vehicle stalled and could 

not be re-started. When the inspector exited the vehicle, he became light headed and 

experienced tightness in his chest. The inspector began walking out of the pit area, and 

as he traveled along the access road, the light headed feeling and tightening in his chest 

diminished. The inspector phoned the field office supervisor who immediately 

dispatched another inspector to the site. An investigation of the area was conducted 

using gas detection equipment. It was determined that low oxygen was present in the 

pit with oxygen readings as low as 9.3 percent. The low oxygen resulted from the 

surface mine’s intersection with the openings of an abandoned underground mine. 
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There can be a risk of rapid release and inundation of dangerous mine gases when 

surface coal mine operators intentionally or unintentionally intersect abandoned or 

active underground workings. Such a rapid release of dangerous mine gases can harm 

a miner in the surface working area. While the experience of the gas inundation 

referenced above is rare, it illustrates the need to follow the daily examination 

requirement of section 77.1713 and test for oxygen deficiency and methane following an 

intersection with underground workings. It further demonstrates the importance of 

maintaining a current and up-to-date mine map. 

Information

Section 77.1713(a) states that: 

 “At least once during each working shift, or more often if necessary for safety, 

 each active working area and each active surface installation shall be examined 

 by a certified person designated by the operator to conduct such examinations 

 for hazardous conditions and any hazardous conditions noted during such 

 examinations shall be reported to the operator and shall be corrected by the 

 operator.” 

Surface coal mine operators often intentionally, and sometimes unintentionally, mine 

areas proximate to underground workings where there is a risk of intersecting such 

underground workings of abandoned or worked out mines. When such intersections 

occur, there is a substantial risk that “bad air”, i.e., methane and other dangerous mine 

gases will escape from the underground workings and create a hazardous condition for 

miners working at the surface mine. 

Therefore, surface operators should test for oxygen deficiency and methane following 

an intersection with abandoned or worked out underground workings. The potential 

release and inundation of dangerous mine gases following such an intersection 

constitutes the kind of hazardous condition that would require mine operators to 

conduct additional examinations as required by the standard. Surface coal mine 

operators should be prepared to test for oxygen deficiency and the presence of other 

dangerous mine gases when an intersection with underground workings occurs. 

Surface coal mine operators can also anticipate an intersection with underground 

workings by using the mine map information gathered under 30 C.F.R. § 77.1200. This 

standard states, in part, that: 
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 “The operator shall maintain an accurate and up-to-date map of the mine, on a 

 scale of not less than 100 nor more than 500 feet to the inch, at or near the mine, 

 in an area chosen by the mine operator, with a duplicate copy on file at a 

 separate and distinct location, to minimize the danger of destruction by fire or 

 other hazard. The map shall show: 

 (i) All worked out and abandoned areas; 

 (k) Underground mine workings underlying and within 1,000 feet of the 

 active areas of the mine.” 

The mine map must be available for inspection by the authorized representative. 

Authority 

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and 30 C.F.R. § 77.1713 and § 77.1200. 

Contact Person(s)

Coal Mine Safety and Health Administration, Division of Safety 

John Arrington, (202) 693-9549 

E-mail: arrington.john@dol.gov

Internet Availability

This information bulletin may be viewed on the Internet by accessing 

www.msha.gov/Regs/Complian/PIB/PIB2009. 

Distribution

MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders 

Underground Coal Mine Operators 

Surface Coal Mine Operators 

Coal Special Interest Groups