[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 249 (Thursday, December 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68062-68063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32791]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Notification of Commencement of Operations 
and Closing of Mines

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. 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.
    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed new/revision/extension/
reinstatement of the information collection related to the Notification 
of Commencement of Operations and Closing of Mines. MSHA is 
particularly interested in comments which:
     evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     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 submissions of responses.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the Addressee 
section of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before February 24, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Written comments shall be mailed to Patricia W. Silvey, 
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 4015 Wilson 
Boulevard, Room 627, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are 
encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or via E-mail to 
[email protected], along with an original printed copy. Ms. Silvey can 
be reached at (703) 235-1910 (voice) or (703) 235-5551 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
George M. Fesak, Director, Office of Program Evaluation and Information 
Resources, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, Room 715, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-
1984. Mr. Fesak can be reached at [email protected] (Internet E-mail), 
(703) 235-8378 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Under 30 CFR Secs. 56.1000 and 57.1000, operators of metal and 
nonmental mines must notify the Mine Safety and Health Administration 
(MSHA) when the operation of a mine will commence or when a mine is 
closed. Openings and closings of mines are dictated by the economic 
strength of the commodity mined, and by weather conditions which 
prevail at the mine site during various seasons.
    MSHA must be aware of openings and closing so that its resources 
can be used efficiently in achieving the requirements of the Mine Act.

[[Page 68063]]

II. Current Actions

    Section 103(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. Sec. 813, requires that each underground mine be 
inspected in its entirety at lease four times a year, and each surface 
mine at least two times per year. Mines which operate only during 
warmer weather must be scheduled for inspection during the spring, 
summer and autumn seasons. Mines are sometimes located a great distance 
from MSHA field offices and the notification required by this standard 
precludes wasted time and trips.

    Type of Review: Reinstatement (without change).
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Notification of Commencement of Operations and Closing of 
Mines.
    OMB Number: 1219-0092.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 56.1000 and 57.1000.
    Total Respondents: 2,300.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 2,070.
    Average Time per Response: .125 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 259 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Cost: $1,438.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or 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.

    Dated: December 18, 1996.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 96-32791 Filed 12-24-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M