[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 103 (Thursday, May 29, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32126-32127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13529]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Finding of Exception Pursuant to Section 501(f) of the Mine Act

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is granting 
an exception to certain mandatory safety standards to the Mathies Mine 
pursuant to section 501(f) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 
1977 (Mine Act).

DATES: This notice is effective upon publication in the Federal 
Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ray McKinney, Administrator for Coal 
Mine Safety and Health, 1100 Wilson Blvd., Room 2424, Arlington, 
Virginia 22209-3939; phone: 202-693-9502; fax: 202-693-9501; E-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Mine Safety and Health Administration 
(MSHA) is granting to the Mathies Mine in Union Township, Washington 
County, Pennsylvania an exception to certain mandatory safety standards 
for the purpose of allowing researchers from Carnegie Mellon University 
to conduct an experiment by testing a self-propelled, robot device in 
the mine. This exception is granted pursuant to section 501(f) of the 
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act).
    Section 501(f) of the Mine Act states that:

    The Secretary is authorized to grant on a mine-by-mine basis an 
exception to any mandatory health or safety standard under this Act 
for the purpose of permitting, under such terms and conditions as he 
may prescribe, accredited educational institutions the opportunity 
for experimenting with new and improved techniques and equipment to 
improve the health and safety of miners. No such exception shall be 
granted unless the Secretary finds that the granting of the 
exception will not adversely affect the health and safety of miners 
and publishes his findings.

    The robot device, known as ``Groundhog,'' will conduct an 
exploratory underground survey of a haulageway through a section of the 
Mathies Mine which has been unoccupied and in non-producing status for 
one year. The haulageway consists of two naturally ventilated passages 
from the storage yard to the preparation plant. Groundhog will start 
its exploration at the storage yard portal, pass through the entire 
length of the haulageway, and emerge at the

[[Page 32127]]

preparation plant portal. During the course of this experiment, no 
miners or any other personnel will enter the non-producing mine.
    This experiment demonstrates new techniques and equipment which 
will improve the health and safety of miners by mapping unknown mine 
areas without endangering miners. Mathies Mine submitted a plan to MSHA 
which governs all phases of the experiment at the mine. This grant of 
exceptions to mandatory safety standards is based on MSHA's approval of 
the terms and conditions in that plan. A copy of the plan may be 
obtained from MSHA at the address noted above. MSHA finds that the 
granting of this exception to underground coal mine safety standards 
will not adversely affect the health and safety of miners. Mathies Mine 
is therefore granted an exception to all safety standards for 
underground coal mines governing mine ventilation, mine examinations, 
and electric equipment (30 CFR subparts D and F) for the duration of 
the experiment.

    Dated: May 23, 2003.
Dave D. Lauriski,
Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 03-13529 Filed 5-28-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P