[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 18, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77524-77525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31763]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


Mine Safety and Health Administration 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 pre-clearance 
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)(c)(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 extension of the information 
collection related to the 30 CFR sections 56.1000 and 57.1000; 
Notification of Commencement of Operations and Closing of Mines.

DATES: Submit comments on or before February 18, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Jane Tarr, Management Analyst, 
Administration and Management 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2171, 
Arlington, VA 22209-3939. Commenters are encouraged to send their 
comments on computer disk, or via Internet E-mail to [email protected]. Ms. Tarr can be reached at (202) 693-9824 (voice), or 
(202) 693-9801 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane Tarr, Management Analyst, Record 
Management Group, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, Room 2171, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209-
3939. Ms. Tarr can be reached at [email protected]. (Internet E-mail),

[[Page 77525]]

(202) 693-9824 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Sections 56.1000 and 57.1000 state that the owner, operator, or 
person in charge of any metal and nonmetal mine shall notify the 
nearest MSHA Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health District Office 
before starting operations, of the approximate or actual date mine 
operation will commence. The notification shall include the mine name, 
location, the company name, mailing address, person in charge, and 
whether operations will be continuous or intermittent. When any mine is 
closed, the person in charge shall notify the nearest sub-district 
office as provided above and indicate whether the closure is temporary 
or permanent.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is particularly interested in comments which:
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    [sbull] 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 in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice, or viewed on the Internet 
by accessing the MSHA home page (http://www.msha.gov) and then choosing 
``Statutory and Regulatory Information'' and ``Federal Register 
Documents.''

III. Current Actions

    Under 30 CFR 56.1000 and 57,1000, operators of metal and nonmetal 
mines must notify 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 mined commodity and by weather conditions 
prevailing at the mine site during various seasons.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Notification of Commencement of Operations and Closing of 
Mines.
    OMB Number: 1219-0092.
    Recordkeeping: Sections 56.1000 and 57.1000 state that the owner, 
operator, or person in charge of any metal and nonmetal mines shall 
notify the nearest MSHA Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health 
District Office before starting operations, of the approximate or 
actual date mine operation will commence. The notification shall 
include the mine name, location, the company name, mailing address, 
person in charge, and whether operations will be continuous or 
intermittent.
    When any mine is closed, the person in charge shall notify the 
nearest sub-district office as provided above and indicate whether the 
closure is temporary or permanent.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 2,300.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: .113 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 259 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $1,446.
    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: Dated in Arlington, Virginia, this 11th day of December, 
2002.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 02-31763 Filed 12-17-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M