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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 231 (Monday, December 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 95244-95245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28164]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0095]

Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Explosive Materials 
and Blasting Units (Pertains Only to Category III Metal and Nonmetal 
Mines Deemed To Be Gassy)

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), 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 collections 
of information, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. 
This program 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 Explosive 
Materials and Blasting Units (Pertains only to Category III Metal and 
Nonmetal Mines Deemed to be Gassy).

DATES: All comments must be received on or before January 31, 2025.

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-2024-0034.
     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.
     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

A. Legal Authority

    Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act) as amended, 30 U.S.C. 813(h), authorizes the Mine Safety and 
Health Administration (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.

B. Information Collection

    In order to fulfill the statutory mandates to promote miners' 
health and safety, MSHA requires the collection of information under 
the information collection request entitled Explosive Materials and 
Blasting Units (Pertains only to Category III Metal and Nonmetal Mines 
Deemed to be Gassy). The information collection is intended to 
determine whether nonapproved explosive materials and blasting units 
and procedures are safe for use in Category III mines.
    All mines must use approved blasting units and explosives to ensure 
miner health and safety. If mine operators choose to use unapproved 
blasting units and explosives, they must obtain approval from MSHA 
before doing so. Under title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations (30 
CFR) 57.22003(a) and (a)(3), mine category III applies to all 
underground metal and nonmetal mines and the surface mills of 
Subcategory I-C mines (gilsonite) in which noncombustible ore is 
extracted and which liberate a concentration of methane that is 
explosive, or is capable of forming explosive mixtures with air, or 
have the potential to do so based on the history of the mine or the 
geological area in which the mine is located. The concentration of 
methane in such mines is explosive or is capable of forming explosive 
mixtures if mixed with air at certain composition.
1. Notifying MSHA Prior to Using Nonapproved Explosive Materials and 
Blasting Units
    Under 30 CFR 7.4 and 15, MSHA tests and approves blasting units and 
explosive materials as permissible for use in mines, respectively. 
Under 30 CFR 57.22606(a), mine operators of Category III metal and 
nonmetal mines must notify the appropriate MSHA District Manager of all 
nonapproved explosive materials and blasting units prior to their use. 
Explosive materials used for blasting must be approved by MSHA under 30 
CFR part 15, or nonapproved explosive materials must be evaluated and 
determined by the District Manager to be safe for blasting in a 
potentially gassy environment. The notice must also include the 
millisecond-delay interval between successive shots and between the 
first and last shot in a round.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection entitled Explosive Materials and Blasting Units (Pertains 
only to Category III Metal and Nonmetal Mines Deemed to be Gassy). 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,

[[Page 95245]]

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.
    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 
Explosive Materials and Blasting Units (Pertains only to Category III 
Metal and Nonmetal Mines Deemed to be Gassy). 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: 1219-0095.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Annual Respondents: 1.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Annual Responses: 1.
    Annual Time Burden: 1 hours.
    Annual Other Burden Costs: $6.
    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. 2024-28164 Filed 11-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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