[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 175 (Friday, September 10, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49246-49247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23597]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Petitions for Modification

    The following parties have filed petitions to modify the 
application of mandatory safety standards under section 101(c) of the 
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

1. PennAmerican Coal L.P.

[Docket No. M-1999-062-C]

    PennAmerican Coal L.P., R.D. #1, Box 119A, Avonmore, Pennsylvania 
15618 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-
2(e)(2) (quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its 
Burrell Mine (I.D. No. 36-08525) located in Indiana County, 
Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a variance from the mandatory 
standard to permit an alternate compliance method for fire fighting 
equipment at temporary electrical installations. The petitioner 
proposes to use two fire extinguishers or one fire extinguisher of 
twice the required capacity at all temporary electrical installations 
instead of one portable fire extinguisher and 240 pounds of rock dust. 
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory 
standard.

2. Bowie Resources, Ltd.

[Docket No. M-1999-063-C]

    Bowie Resources, Ltd., 1855 Old Hwy. 133, P.O. Box 483, Paonia, 
Colorado 81428 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.1002 (location of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires, high-voltage 
cables and transformers) to its Bowie Mine No. 2 (I.D. No. 05-04591) 
located in Delta County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to use a 
nominal voltage of longwall power circuits not to exceed 2,400 volts to 
supply power to the permissible high-voltage longwall mining equipment 
inby the last open crosscut. The petitioner has listed in this petition 
specific terms and conditions for using its proposed alternative 
method. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory 
standard.

3. Bowie Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-1999-064-C]

    Bowie Resources, Inc., 1855 Old Hwy. 133, P.O. Box 483 has filed a 
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.804(a) (underground 
high-voltage cables) to its Bowie Mine No. 2 (I.D. No. 05-04591) 
located in Delta County, Colorado. The petitioner requests a variance 
from the mandatory standard to use center ground check high-voltage 
longwall cables as an option for high-voltage longwall cables on 
longwall diesel equipment. The petitioner states that: (i) these cables 
will be in compliance with the existing standard or will be CABLEC/BICC 
Anaconda brand 5KV, 3/C type SHD+GC; Americable Tiger Brand, 3/C, 5KV, 
type SHD__CGC; Pirelli 5KV, 3/C, type SHD-CENTER-GC; or similar 5000-
volt cable with a center ground check conductor, and manufactured to 
the ICEA standard S-75-381 for Type SHD, three-conductor cables, MSHA 
accepted as flame-resistant, and the ground check conductor will not be 
smaller than a No. 16 AWG stranded conductor; (ii) the cable 
construction will be symmetrical 3/C, 3/G and 1/GC; (iii) the 
electrical personnel who perform maintenance on the longwall will 
receive training in the installation, splicing, and repair of the 
cables before the alternative method is implemented; and (iv) proposed 
revisions to its Part 48 training plan will be submitted to the 
District Manager 60 days after the Proposed Decision and Order becomes 
final. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory 
standard.

4. Canterbury Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-065-C]

    Canterbury Coal Company, R.D. #1, Box 119, Avonmore, Pennsylvania 
15618 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-
2(e)(2) (quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its DiAnne 
Mine (I.D. No. 36-05708) located in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. The 
petitioner requests a variance from the mandatory standard to permit an 
alternate compliance method for fire fighting equipment at temporary 
electrical installations. The petitioner proposes to use two fire 
extinguishers or one fire extinguisher of twice the required capacity 
at all temporary electrical installations instead of using one fire 
extinguisher and 240 pounds of rock dust. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as the mandatory standard.

5. Hopkins County Coal LLC

[Docket No. M-1999-066-C]

    Hopkins County Coal LLC, P.O. Box 711, Madisonville, Kentucky 42431 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.513 
(electric conductor; capacity and insulation) to its Island Mine #1 
(I.D. No. 15-17515) located in Hopkins County, Kentucky. The petitioner 
proposes to use a smaller size cable to power each 300 KW Tag-A-Long 
rectifier, 315 KVA transformer approximately 379 FLA. The proposed 
modification would allow type 4/0 AWG 2KV 90 deg.C unshielded copper 
power cable, rated 329 amperes by I.C.E.A. standards of 100 feet or 
less instead of a 350 MCM shielded 8KV power cable rated 513 amperes. 
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory 
standard.

6. Little Man Mining, Inc.

[Docket No. M-1999-067-C]

    Little Man Mining, Inc., 11945 No. Big Creek Rd., Hatfield, 
Kentucky 41514 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.1710 (canopies or cabs; diesel-powered and electric face equipment) 
to its No. 2 Mine (I.D. No. 15-18146) located in Pike County, Kentucky. 
The petitioner requests a

[[Page 49247]]

waiver from the mandatory standard to permit the operation of its 
cutting machine without a canopy in coal seam heights between 42 to 50 
inches. The petitioner asserts that using a canopy on the cutting 
machine will lessen the degree of safety for the machine operator.

7. Peabody Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-068-C]

    Peabody Coal Company, P.O. Box 120, Morganfield, Kentucky 42437 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1909(b)(6) 
(nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and performance 
requirements) to its Camp No. 11 Mine (I.D. No. 15-08357) located in 
Union County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a variance from the 
mandatory standard to permit the Getman diesel grader to be used 
underground with only rear wheel brakes instead of brakes that act on 
each wheel of the vehicle. The petitioner proposes to limit the diesel 
grader speed to 10 miles per hour maximum and train grader operators to 
drop the grader blade if the brakes fail. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as the mandatory standard.

8. The American Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-069-C]

    The American Coal Company, P.O. Box 727, Harrisburg, Illinois 62946 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1909(b)(6) 
(nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and performance 
requirements) to its Galatia Mine (I.D. No. 11-02752) located in Saline 
County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes to operate its Getman 
Roadbuilders, serial number 6187 and 6547, without front brakes, using 
instead the factory installed brake system on the four rear wheels. The 
petitioner asserts that adding brakes to the front wheels of the road 
grader will result in a diminution of safety to the miners.

9. Cyprus Emerald Resources Corporation

[Docket No. M-1999-070-C]

    Cyprus Emerald Resources Corporation, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant 
Street, 20th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a 
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 (permissible 
electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Emerald No. 1 Mine (I.D. 
No.36-00952) located in Greene County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner 
proposes to use trailing cables greater than 500 feet in length for 
mining equipment taken in by the last open crosscut. The cables would 
not exceed 1,000 feet in length. The petitioner has listed specific 
terms and conditions for using its proposed alternative method. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

10. Turris Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-071-C]

    Turris Coal Company, P.O. Box 21, Elkhart, Illinois 62634 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1909(b)(6) 
(nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and performance 
requirements) to its Elkhart Mine (I.D. No. 11-02664) located in Logan 
County, Illinois. The petitioner requests a variance from the mandatory 
standard to permit an alternate method to installing front brakes on 
its six wheeled grader. The petitioner proposes to: (i) limit the 
maximum speed of the grader to less than 10 mph; (ii) provide training 
for grader operator on lowering the moldboard to provide additional 
stopping capability in emergencies; (iii) train grader operators on the 
appropriate speeds to use on different roadway conditions and slopes. 
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory 
standard.

11. Consolidation Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-072-C]

    Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(1) (weekly examination) to its 
Loveridge No. 22 Mine (I.D. No. 46-01433) located in Monogalia County, 
West Virginia. The petitioner requests that paragraph 4 of the Decision 
and Order (D&O) for its previously granted petition, docket number M-
93-275-C, be amended for the aircourses ventilating the No. 3 North 
seals and the No. 2\1/2\ North seals to permit weekly examinations of 
the five monitoring stations instead of daily examinations. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

12. Canyon Fuel Company, LLC

[Docket No. M-1999-073-C]

    Canyon Fuel Company, LLC, HC 35, Box 380, Helper, Utah 84526 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1909 (b)(6) 
(nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and performance 
requirements) to its Skyline Mine No. 3 (I.D. No. 42-01566), its Dugout 
Canyon Mines (I.D. Nos. 42-01888, 42-01889, and 42-01890), and its 
SUFco Mine (I.D. No. 42-00089) located in Sevier County, Utah. The 
petitioner requests a variance from the mandatory standard to permit 
its motor grader equipment to permit the use of motor graders equipped 
with OEM braking systems. The petitioner states that application of the 
mandatory standard will result in a diminution of safety to the miners. 
In addition, the petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
mandatory standard.

Request for Comments

    Persons interested in these petitions are encouraged to submit 
comments via e-mail to ``[email protected],'' or on a computer disk 
along with an original hard copy to the Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 4015 
Wilson Boulevard, Room 627, Arlington, Virginia 22203. All comments 
must be postmarked or received in that office on or before October 12, 
1999. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that 
address.

    Dated: August 30, 1999.
Carol J. Jones,
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 99-23597 Filed 9-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P