[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 191 (Monday, October 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58818-58822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25110]



[[Page 58818]]

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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 existing safety standards under section 101(c) of the 
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

1. Blue Mountain Energy, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-095-C]

    Blue Mountain Energy, Inc., 3607 County Road, #65, Rangely, 
Colorado 81648 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.1902(c)(2)(i), (ii), and (iii)(underground diesel fuel storage-
general requirements) to its Deserado Mine (I.D. No. 05-03505) located 
in Rio Blanco County, Colorado. The petitioner requests a modification 
of the existing standard as it pertains to temporary underground diesel 
fuel storage area location. The petitioner proposes to: (i) Store the 
temporary diesel transportation unit no more than 5 cross-cuts from the 
loading point and/or protected loading point during equipment 
installation, and the last loading point during equipment removal; (ii) 
equip the diesel fuel transportation unit with an automatic fire 
suppression device according to 30 CFR 75.1911; and (iii) physically 
examine the diesel fuel transportation unit twice each shift when work 
is being performed inby the diesel storage area. The petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same 
measure of protection as the existing standard.

2. Plateau Mining Corporation

[Docket No. M-2000-096-C]

    Plateau Mining Corporation, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 
20th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219 has filed a petition to 
modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1909(a)(1) (nonpermissible diesel-
powered equipment; design and performance requirements) to its Willow 
Creek Mine (I.D. No. 42-02113) located in Carbon County, Utah. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to permit 
the use of 3304 PCT diesel engines at its mine and affiliated mine to 
haul equipment and supplies and for travel through the mines. The 
petitioner states that the 3304 PCT diesel engines have been tested 
according to the requirements of 30 CFR Part 7 and the testing has 
indicated that the use of these engines meet the requirements of MSHA's 
testing protocol. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
existing standard.

3. Twentymile Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-097-C]

    Twentymile Coal Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th 
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219 has filed a petition to modify 
the application of 30 CFR 75.1909(a)(1) (nonpermissible diesel-powered 
equipment; design and performance requirements) to its Foidel Creek 
Mine (I.D. No. 05-03836) located in Routt County, Colorado. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to permit 
the use of 3304 PCT diesel engines at its mine and affiliated mine to 
haul equipment and supplies and for travel through the mines. The 
petitioner states that the 3304 PCT diesel engines have been tested 
according to the requirements of 30 CFR Part 7 and the testing has 
indicated that the use of these engines meet the requirements of MSHA's 
testing protocol. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
existing standard.

4. Black Beauty Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-098-C]

    Black Beauty Coal Company, P.O. Box 312, Evansville, Indiana 47702-
0312 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 
(air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Air Quality #1 Mine (I.D. 
No. 12-02010) located in Knox County, Indiana. The petitioner proposes 
to use the intake air off the belt and neutral entries to ventilate 
working sections. The petitioner states that a carbon monoxide 
monitoring system already in place is maintained along the belt haulage 
entries. The petitioner asserts that mine personnel working at the 
sections would not be adversely affected, that intake air from the belt 
haulage entries would improve ventilation at the working sections, and 
that the ability to meet the regulatory volume and control requirements 
at each working section would be enhanced by the approval of this 
modification.

5. San Juan Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-099-C]

    San Juan Coal Company, P.O. Box 561, Waterflow, New Mexico 87421 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.500(d) 
(permissible electric equipment) to its San Juan South Mine (I.D. No. 
29-02170) and San Juan Deep Mine (I.D. No. 29-02201) located in San 
Juan County, New Mexico. The petitioner proposes to use the following 
nonpermissible low-voltage or battery powered electronic testing and 
diagnostic equipment inby the last open crosscut: lap top computers, 
oscilloscopes, vibration analysis machines, cable fault detectors, 
point temperature probes, infrared temperature devices, insulation 
testers (meggers), voltage, current, and power measurements devices, 
signal analyzer devices, ultrasonic thickness gauges, electronic 
component testers, electronic tachometers, and may use other testing 
and diagnostic equipment if approved by the District Office. The 
petitioner states that all other test and diagnostic equipment use in 
or inby the last open crosscut will be permissible. The petitioner has 
listed in this petition for modification specific procedures that would 
be followed when using this equipment. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

6. Black Beauty Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-100-C]

    Black Beauty Coal Company, 6641 State Road 46, Terre Haute, Indiana 
47802 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 
(air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Vermilion Grove Mine 
(I.D. No. 11-03060) located in Vermilion County, Illinois. The 
petitioner proposes to use the intake air off the belt and neutral 
entries to ventilate working sections. The petitioner states that a 
carbon monoxide monitoring system already in place is maintained along 
the belt haulage entries. The petitioner asserts that mine personnel 
working at the sections would not be adversely affected, that the use 
of intake air from the belt haulage entries would improve ventilation 
at the workings sections, and that the ability to meet the regulatory 
volume and control requirements at each working section would be 
enhanced by the approval of this modification.

7. Genwal Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-101-C]

    Genwal Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1420, Huntington, Utah 84528 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.701 (grounding 
metallic frames, casings, and other enclosures of electric equipment) 
to its Crandall Canyon Mine (I.D. No. 42-01715) located in Emery 
County, Utah. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing 
standard to permit an alternative method for grounding of a diesel 
generator. The petitioner

[[Page 58819]]

proposes to use a 480 volt, wye connected, 320 KW portable diesel 
powered generator for utility power and to move electrically powered 
mining equipment in and around the mine. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as the existing standard.

8. Genwal Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-102-C]

    Genwal Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1420, Huntington, Utah 84528 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.901 (protection 
of low-and medium-voltage three-phase circuits used underground) to its 
Crandall Canyon Mine (I.D. No. 42-01715) located in Emery County, Utah. 
The petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to 
permit an alternative method for grounding of a diesel generator. The 
petitioner proposes to use a 480 volt, wye connected, 320 KW portable 
diesel powered generator for utility power and to move electrically 
powered mining equipment in and around the mine. The petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same 
measure of protection as the existing standard.

9. West Ridge Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-103-C]

    West Ridge Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1420, Huntington, Utah 84528 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.701 
(grounding metallic frames, casings, and other enclosures of electric 
equipment) to its West Ridge Mine (I.D. No. 42-02233) located in Carbon 
County, Utah. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing 
standard to permit an alternative method for grounding of a diesel 
generator. The petitioner proposes to use a 480 volt, wye connected, 
320 KW portable diesel powered generator for utility power and to move 
electrically powered mining equipment in and around the mine. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.

10. West Ridge Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-104-C]

    West Ridge Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1420, Huntington, Utah 84528 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.901 
(protection of low-and medium-voltage three-phase circuits used 
underground) to its West Ridge Mine (I.D. No. 42-02233) located in 
Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner requests a modification of the 
existing standard to permit an alternative method for grounding of a 
diesel generator. The petitioner proposes to use a 480 volt, wye 
connected, 320 KW portable diesel powered generator for utility power 
and to move electrically powered mining equipment in and around the 
mine. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

11. Gibson County Coal, LLC

[Docket No. M-2000-105-C]

    Gibson County Coal, LLC, P.O. Box 1269, Princeton, Indiana 47670 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil 
and gas wells) to its Gibson Mine (I.D. No. 12-02215) located in Gibson 
County, Indiana. The petitioner proposes to plug and mine through oil 
and gas wells using the specific procedures outlined in this petition 
for modification. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
existing standard.

12. San Juan Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-106-C]

    San Juan Coal Company, P.O. Box 561, Waterflow, New Mexico 87421 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil 
and gas wells) to its San Juan South Mine (I.D. No. 29-02170) and its 
San Juan Deep Mine (I.D. No. 29-02201) located in San Juan County, New 
Mexico. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard 
to permit mining within a 300 foot diameter of abandoned oil and gas 
wells. The petitioner proposes to plug and mine through oil and gas 
wells using the specific procedures outlined in this petition for 
modification. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
existing standard.

13. Sidney Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-107-C]

    Sidney Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 299, Sidney, Kentucky 41564 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil and 
gas wells) to its Rockhouse Energy Mining Company Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 
15-17651) located in Pike County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to 
plug and mine through oil and gas wells using the specific procedures 
outlined in this petition for modification. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as the existing standard.

14. San Juan Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-108-C]

    San Juan Coal Company, P.O. Box 561, Waterflow, New Mexico 87421 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002-1(a) 
(location of other electric equipment; requirements for permissibility) 
to its San Juan South Mine (I.D. No. 29-02170) and its San Juan Deep 
Mine (I.D. No. 29-02201) located in San Juan County, New Mexico. The 
petitioner proposes to use the following nonpermissible low-voltage or 
battery powered electronic testing and diagnostic equipment inby the 
last open crosscut: lap top computers, oscilloscopes, vibration 
analysis machines, cable fault detectors, point temperature probes, 
infrared temperature devices, insulation testers (meggers), voltage, 
current, and power measurements devices, signal analyzer devices, 
ultrasonic thickness gauges, electronic component testers, electronic 
tachometers, and may use other testing and diagnostic equipment if 
approved by the District Office. The petitioner states that all other 
test and diagnostic equipment used in or inby the last open crosscut 
will be permissible. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

15. The American Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-109-C]

    The American Coal Company, P.O. Box 727, Harrisburg, Illinois 62946 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.900 (low- 
and medium-voltage circuits serving three-phase alternating current 
equipment; circuit breakers) to its Galatia Mine (I.D. No. 11-02752) 
located in Saline County, Illinois. The petitioner requests a 
modification of the existing standard to allow the use of a combination 
of suitable sized fuses or non-undervoltage release circuit breaker 
contactor, ground fault device, and three phase undervoltage relay, 
serving a three-phase low- or medium-voltage alternating current 
circuit. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

16. Gibson County Coal, LLC

[Docket No. M-2000-110-C]

    Gibson County Coal, LLC, P.O. Box 1269, Princeton, Indiana 47670 
has filed a petition to modify the application of

[[Page 58820]]

30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Gibson Mine 
(I.D. No. 12-02215) located in Gibson County, Indiana. The petitioner 
proposes to use belt haulage entries as intake air courses to ventilate 
active working places. The petitioner proposes to use a low-level 
carbon monoxide detection system to monitor all belt haulage entries 
and have a visual or audible alarm signal in place to detect any 
emergency conditions, and if an emergency condition exists, a qualified 
person would be dispatched immediately to the affected area to 
determine the reason for the alarm and appropriate action would be 
taken to safeguard the persons underground. Petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the existing standard.

17. Plateau Mining Corporation

[Docket No. M-2000-111-C]

    Plateau Mining Corporation, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 
20th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to 
modify the application of 30 CFR 75.901(a) (protection of low- and 
medium-voltage three-phase circuits used underground) to its Willow 
Creek Mine (I.D. No. 42-02113) located in Carbon County, Utah. The 
petitioner proposes to use an alternative method of compliance to 
ground the portable diesel generator to a low ground field. The 
petitioner proposes to incorporate a ground fault system for the power 
circuits that would de-energize mining equipment such as continuous 
miners, roof bolters, and longwall equipment when being transported 
throughout the mine, if a phase to frame fault occurs. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as the existing standard.

18. Plateau Mining Corporation

[Docket No. M-2000-112-C]

    Plateau Mining Corporation, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 
20th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to 
modify the application of 30 CFR 75.701 (grounding metallic frames, 
casings, and other enclosures of electric equipment) to its Willow 
Creek Mine (I.D. No. 42-02113) located in Carbon County, Utah. The 
petitioner proposes to use an alternative method of compliance to 
ground the portable diesel generator to a low ground field. The 
petitioner proposes to incorporate a ground fault system for the power 
circuits that would de-energize mining equipment such as continuous 
miners, roof bolters, and longwall equipment when being transported 
throughout the mine, if a phase to frame fault occurs. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as the existing standard.

19. Blue Mountain Energy, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-113-C]

    Blue Mountain Energy, Inc., 3607 Co. Rd. 65, Rangely, Colorado 
81648 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 
(air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Deserado Mine (I.D. No. 
05-03505) located in Rio Blanco County, Colorado. The petitioner 
proposes to use air coursed through conveyor belt entries to ventilate 
working places. The petitioner proposes to install a carbon monoxide 
monitoring system as an early warning fire detection system in all belt 
entries used as intake air to a working place. The petitioner asserts 
that application of the existing standard would result in a diminution 
of safety to the miners and that the proposed alternative method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

20. San Juan Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-114-C]

    San Juan Coal Company, San Juan Coal Company, P.O. Box 561, 
Waterflow, New Mexico 87421 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 75.701 (grounding metallic frames, casings, and 
other enclosures of electric) to its San Juan South Mine (I.D. No. 29-
02170) and San Juan Deep Mine (I.D. No. 29-02201) located in San Juan 
County, New Mexico. The petitioner proposes to use a portable diesel 
generator to move and operate electrically powered mobile equipment and 
pumps throughout the mine and to provide temporary power to mobile 
equipment and pumps when power centers are not readily available and 
where power centers cannot easily be installed without major 
construction work. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
existing standard.

21. San Juan Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-115-C]

    San Juan Coal Company, San Juan Coal Company, P.O. Box 561, 
Waterflow, New Mexico 87421 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 75.901 (protection of low- and medium-voltage 
three-phase circuits used underground) to its San Juan South Mine (I.D. 
No. 29-02170) and San Juan Deep Mine (I.D. No. 29-02201) located in San 
Juan County, New Mexico. The petitioner proposes to use a portable 
diesel generator to move and operate electrically powered mobile 
equipment and pumps throughout the mine and to provide temporary power 
to mobile equipment and pumps when power centers are not readily 
available and where power centers cannot easily be installed without 
major construction work. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

22. San Juan Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-116-C]

    San Juan Coal Company, San Juan Coal Company, P.O. Box 561, 
Waterflow, New Mexico 87421 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 San Juan 
South Mine (I.D. No. 29-02170) and San Juan Deep Mine (I.D. No. 29-
02201) located in San Juan County, New Mexico. The petitioner proposes 
to use high-voltage (4,160 volt) cables in/by the last open crosscut 
and within 150 feet of pillar workings. The petitioner proposes a 
number of safeguards and asserts that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

23. Genwal Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-117-C]

    Genwal Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1420, Huntington, Utah 84528 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002-1(a) 
(location of other electric equipment; requirements for permissibility) 
to its Crandall Canyon Mine (I.D. No. 42-01715) located in Emery 
County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to use the following 
nonpermissible low-voltage or battery powered electronic testing and 
diagnostic equipment inby the last open crosscut: lap top computers, 
oscilloscopes, vibration analysis machines, cable fault detectors, 
point temperature probes, infrared temperature devices and recorders, 
pressures and flow measurement devices, signal analyzer devices, 
ultrasonic thickness gauges, electronic component testers, electronic 
tachometers, and may use other testing and diagnostic equipment if 
approved by the District Office. The petitioner states that all other 
test and diagnostic equipment use in or inby the last open crosscut 
will be permissible. The

[[Page 58821]]

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.

24. West Ridge Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-118-C]

    West Ridge Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1420, Huntington, Utah 84528 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002-1(a) 
(location of other electric equipment; requirements for permissibility) 
to its West Ridge Mine (I.D. No. 42-02233) located in Carbon County, 
Utah. The petitioner proposes to use the following nonpermissible low-
voltage or battery powered electronic testing and diagnostic equipment 
inby the last open crosscut: lap top computers, oscilloscopes, 
vibration analysis machines, cable fault detectors, point temperature 
probes, infrared temperature devices and recorders, pressures and flow 
measurement devices, signal analyzer devices, ultrasonic thickness 
gauges, electronic component testers, electronic tachometers, and may 
use other testing and diagnostic equipment if approved by the District 
Office. The petitioner states that all other test and diagnostic 
equipment use in or inby the last open crosscut will be permissible. 
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

25. Plateau Mining Corporation

[Docket No. M-2000-119-C]

    Plateau Mining Corporation, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 
20th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to 
modify the application of 30 CFR 75.500(d) (permissible electric 
equipment) to its Willow Creek Mine (I.D. No. 42-02113) located in 
Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to use the following 
nonpermissible low-voltage or battery powered electronic testing and 
diagnostic equipment in its continuous miner development sections: lap 
top computers, oscilloscopes, vibration analysis machines, cable fault 
detectors, point temperature probes, infrared temperature devices, 
voltage, current and power measurement recorders, pressure and flow 
measurement devices, signal analyzer devices, ultrasonic thickness 
gauges, and electronic tachometers, and may use other testing and 
diagnostic equipment if approved by the District Office. The petitioner 
states that all other test and diagnostic equipment used inby the last 
open crosscut will be permissible. The petitioner asserts that 
application of the existing standard would result in a diminution of 
safety to the miners and that the petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

26. Plateau Mining Corporation

[Docket No. M-2000-120-C]

    Plateau Mining Corporation, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 
20th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to 
modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002-1(a) (location of other 
electric equipment; requirements for permissibility) to its Willow 
Creek Mine (I.D. No. 42-02113) located in Carbon County, Utah. The 
petitioner proposes to use the following nonpermissible low-voltage or 
battery powered testing and diagnostic equipment in its longwall 
section: lap top computers, oscilloscopes, vibration analysis machines, 
cable fault detectors, point temperature probes, infrared temperature 
devices, voltage, current and power measurement recorders, pressure and 
flow measurement devices, signal analyzer devices, ultrasonic thickness 
gauges, and electronic tachometers, and may use other testing and 
diagnostic equipment if approved by the District Office. The petitioner 
states that all other test and diagnostic equipment used within 150 
feet of pillar workings will be permissible. The petitioner asserts 
that application of the existing standard would result in a diminution 
of safety to the miners and that the petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

27. Marfork Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-121-C]

    Marfork Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 457, Whitesville, West 
Virginia 25209 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 Coon Cedar Grove Mine (I.D. No. 46-
08837) located in Raleigh County, West Virginia. The petitioner 
proposes to use high-voltage (2,400 volt) cables to power longwall 
mining equipment. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
existing standard.

28. Sierra Minerals Corporation

[Docket No. M-2000-007-M]

    Sierra Minerals Corporation, 6164 S. Newport St., Suite 2000, 
Englewood, Colorado 80111 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 57.17010 (electric lamps) to its Colorado Yule 
Marble, Yule Quarry Operation (I.D. No. 05-04438) located in Gunnison 
County, Colorado. The petitioner requests a modification of the 
existing standard to eliminate the use of cap lamps during daylight 
hours at its quarry operation. The petitioner states that: (i) There is 
natural lighting in all working areas of the quarry that provides 
illumination under all operating conditions; (ii) supplemental light 
stands are used in some areas and if power is lost to those lights 
there is more than sufficient natural light available for safe exit 
from the working areas; (iii) all escapeways are well lit with natural 
light during daylight hours; (iv) work in the quarry is done only 
during daylight hours and if work is extended into hours of darkness, 
at that time, all persons would use cap lamps. The petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same 
measure of protection as the existing standard.

29. Sierra Minerals Corporation

[Docket No. M-2000-008-M]

    Sierra Minerals Corporation, 6164 S. Newport St., Suite 2000, 
Englewood, Colorado 80111 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 57.15031 (location of self-rescue devices) to its 
Colorado Yule Marble, Yule Quarry Operation (I.D. No. 05-04438) located 
in Gunnison County, Colorado. The petitioner requests a modification of 
the existing standard to permit its quarry to be operated without the 
use of self-rescue devices by persons underground. The petitioner 
asserts that application of the existing standard would result in a 
diminution of safety to the miners and that an alternative method of 
achieving the result of the existing standard exists that would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as the existing 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 November 1, 
2000. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that 
address.


[[Page 58822]]


    Dated: September 25, 2000.
Carol J. Jones,
Director, Office of Standards,, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 00-25110 Filed 9-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P