[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 223 (Monday, November 19, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57932-57934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28820]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


2002 Economic Census Covering the Mining Sector

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 18, 
2002.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6086, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via 
the Internet at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Patricia L. Horning, U.S. Census Bureau, 
Manufacturing and Construction Division, (301) 457-4680, Room 2229, 
Building #4, Washington, DC 20233 (or via the Internet 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau is the preeminent collector and provider of 
timely, relevant and quality data about the people and economy of the 
United States. Economic data are the Census Bureau's primary program 
commitment during nondecennial census years. The economic census, 
conducted under authority of Title 13, U.S.C., is the

[[Page 57933]]

primary source of facts about the structure and functioning of the 
Nation's economy and features unique industry and geographic detail. 
Economic census statistics serve as part of the framework for the 
national accounts and provide essential information for government, 
business and the general public. The 2002 Economic Census Covering the 
Mining Sector (as defined by the North American Industry Classification 
System (NAICS)) will measure the economic activity of almost 25,000 
mineral establishments.
    The information collected from establishments in this sector of the 
economic census will produce basic statistics for number of 
establishments, shipments, payroll, employment, detailed supplies and 
fuels consumed, depreciable assets, inventories, and capital 
expenditures. It also will yield a variety of subject statistics, 
including shipments by product line, type of operation, size of 
establishments and other industry-specific measures.
    Primary strategies for reducing burden in Census Bureau economic 
data collections are to increase electronic reporting through broader 
use of computerized self-administered census questionnaires, on-line 
questionnaires and other electronic data collection.

II. Method of Collection

    The mining industry sector of the economic census will select 
establishments for their mail canvass from a frame given by the Census 
Bureau's Business Register. To be eligible for selection, an 
establishment will be required to satisfy the following conditions: (i) 
It must be classified in the mining sector; (ii) it must be an active 
operating establishment of a multi-establishment firm (including 
operations under exploration and development), or it must be a single-
establishment firm with payroll; and (iii) it must be located in one of 
the 50 states, offshore areas, or the District of Columbia. Mail 
selection procedures will distinguish the following groups of 
establishments:

A. Establishments of Multi-Establishment Firms

    Selection procedures will assign all active mineral establishments 
of multi-establishment firms to the mail component of the potential 
respondent universe, except for those in industries classified in the 
Support Activities for Mining subsector. In these selected industries, 
where activities are not easily attributable to individual locations or 
establishments, firms will be asked to report their basic data for 
several establishments at a nationwide level on a consolidated report 
form . Approximately 7 percent of establishments of multi-establishment 
firms will not be required to file separate reports because they will 
be included in consolidated company reports. We estimate that the 
census mail canvass for 2002 will include approximately 7,000 
establishments of multi-establishment firms.

B. Single-Establishment Firms With Payroll

    As an initial step in the selection process, we will conduct a 
study of the potential respondent universe for mining. The study of 
potential respondents will produce a set of industry-specific payroll 
cutoffs that we will use to distinguish large versus small single-
establishment firms within each industry. This payroll size distinction 
will affect selection as follows:
1. Large Single-Establishment Firms
    Selection procedures will assign large single-establishment firms 
having annualized payroll (from Federal administrative records) that 
equals or exceeds the cutoff for their industry to the mail component 
of the potential respondent universe. We estimate that the census mail 
canvass for 2002 will include approximately 5,200 firms in this 
category. These firms will receive a standard form.
2. Small Single-Establishment Firms
    We will send a short form to small single-establishment firms in 
the crushed stone, sand and gravel, and crude petroleum and natural gas 
industries where application of the cutoff for nonmail establishments 
results in a larger number of small establishments included in the mail 
canvass. The short form will collect basic statistics and other 
essential information that is not available from administrative 
records.
    The short form will be mailed to approximately 2,300 single-
establishment firms in these industries which are larger than the 
nonmail cutoff for their industry, but which have annual payroll under 
a certain criteria. In terms of employment, this criteria will identify 
establishments with approximately 5 to 19 employees.
    All remaining single-establishment firms with payroll will be 
represented in the census by data from Federal administrative records. 
We will not include approximately 10,000 of these small employers in 
the census mail canvass.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not available.
    Form Number: The forms used to collect information from 
establishments in this sector of the economic census are tailored to 
specific mining operations and are too numerous to list separately in 
this notice. You can obtain information on the proposed content of the 
forms by calling Patricia L. Horning on (301) 457-4680 (or via the 
Internet at [email protected]).
    Type of Review: Regular review.
    Affected Public: Business or Other for Profit, Non-profit 
Institutions, Small Businesses or Organizations, and State or Local 
Governments.

Estimated Number of Respondents:
  Standard Form..........................  12,200.
  Short Form.............................  2,300.
                                          ------------------------------
    Total................................  14,500.
Estimated Time Per Response:
  Standard Form..........................  4.1 hours.
  Short Form.............................  2.2 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:
  Standard Form..........................  50,020.
  Short Form.............................  5,060.
                                          ------------------------------
    Total................................  55,080.
 

    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $843,826.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, sections 131 and 
224.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.


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    Dated: November 14, 2001.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-28820 Filed 11-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P