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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 18, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23291-23293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9245]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Extension of Existing 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.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections 
of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. 
This program helps to assure that requested data can be provided in the 
desired

[[Page 23292]]

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. 
Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the extension of the information collection for 30 
CFR 57.22004(c); 57.22229(c) and (d); 57.22230(b) and (c); 57.22231; 
and 57.22239. OMB last approved this information collection request 
(ICR) on August 19, 2009.

DATES: All comments must be postmarked or received by midnight Eastern 
Time on June 18, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements 
of this notice must be clearly identified with ``OMB 1219-0103'' and 
sent to both the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Mine 
Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Comments to MSHA may be sent 
by any of the methods listed below.
     Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
     Facsimile: 202-693-9441, include ``OMB 1219-0103'' in the 
subject line of the message.
     Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, 
Arlington, VA 22209-3939. For hand delivery, sign in at the 
receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.
    Comments to OMB may be sent by mail addressed to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 
20503, Attn: Desk Officer for MSHA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Moxness, Chief, Economic Analysis 
Division, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at 
[email protected] (email); 202-693-9440 (voice); or 202-693-9441 
(facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Methane is a flammable gas commonly 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 mines 
(M/NM). Underground metal and Nonmetal mines are categorized according 
to the potential to liberate methane (30 CFR 57.22003--Mine category or 
subcategory). 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. The presence of dust containing volatile matter 
in the mine atmosphere may further enhance the explosion potential of 
methane in a mine. Section 103(i) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health 
Act of 1977 (Mine Act), as amended, requires additional inspections to 
be conducted at mines depending on the amount of methane liberated from 
a mine.
    This information collection addresses the recordkeeping associated 
with:

30 CFR 57.22004(c)--Category placement or change in placement
30 CFR 57.22229(c) & (d)--Weekly testing (I-A, III, and V-A mines)
30 CFR 57.22230(b) & (c)--Weekly testing (II-A mines)
30 CFR 57.22231--Actions at 0.25 percent methane (I-B, II-B, V-B, and 
VI mines)
30 CFR 57.22239--Actions at 2.0 percent methane (IV mines)

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of 
the information collection related to methane detected in the 
atmosphere of underground metal and nonmetal (MNM) Mines. 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 the Agency'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
     Address the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of 
responses, to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond.
    The public may examine publicly available documents, including the 
public comment version of the supporting statement, at MSHA, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 
2350, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. OMB clearance requests are available on 
MSHA's Web site at http://www.msha.gov under ``Rules & Regs'' on the 
right side of the screen by selecting Information Collections Requests, 
Paperwork Reduction Act Supporting Statements. The document will be 
available on MSHA's Web site for 60 days after the publication date of 
this notice. Comments submitted in writing or in electronic form will 
be made available for public inspection. Because comments will not be 
edited to remove any identifying or contact information, MSHA cautions 
the commenter against including any information in the submission that 
should not be publicly disclosed. 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

    The information obtained from mine operators is used by MSHA during 
inspections to determine compliance with safety and health standards. 
MSHA has updated the data in respect to the number of respondents and 
responses, as well as the total burden hours and burden costs 
supporting this information collection extension request.

Summary

    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Methane Detected in Mine Atmosphere (Applies to Underground 
Metal and Nonmetal mines).
    OMB Number: 1219-0103.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 57.22004, 57.22229, 57.22230, 
57.22231, and 57.22239.
    Total Number of Respondents: 6.
    Frequency: infrequent.
    Total Number of Responses: 319.
    Total Burden Hours: 27.25 hours.
    Total Hour Burden Cost: $ 0.0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

[[Page 23293]]

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

    Dated: April 12, 2012.
George F. Triebsch,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-9245 Filed 4-17-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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