[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 104 (Friday, May 28, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30726-30727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-12117]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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. D & D Anthracite Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2004-020-C]

    D & D Anthracite Coal Company, 409 W. Centre Street, Donaldson, 
Pennsylvania 17981 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 75.335 (Construction of seals) to its Primrose Slope Mine (MSHA 
I.D. No. 36-08341) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The 
petitioner proposes to use wooden materials of moderate size and weight 
for constructing seals due to the difficulty in accessing previously 
driven headings and breasts containing inaccessible abandoned workings; 
to accept a design criteria in the 10 psi range; and to permit the 
water trap to be installed in the gangway seal and sampling tube in the 
monkey seal for seals installed in pairs. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as the existing standard.

2. Spartan Mining Company

[Docket No. M-2004-021-C]

    Spartan Mining Company, HC 78 Box 1800, Madison, West Virginia 
25130 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002 
(Installation of electric equipment and conductors; permissibility) to 
its Laurel Creek Coalburg Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 46-08387) located in 
Boone County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to transfer high-
voltage, 2,400-volt continuous miner equipment from one mine to another 
mine within the Spartan Mining Company. The petitioner states that all 
personnel who perform maintenance on the high-voltage continuous miner 
system will receive training in high-voltage safety, testing, and 
maintenance procedures; and all personnel who work in proximity of 
high-voltage equipment or move high-voltage equipment or cable(s) will 
receive training, before implementation of the proposed alternative 
method. The petitioner further states, that the high-voltage continuous 
mining system will not be put into service until after MSHA has 
inspected the equipment and determined that it is in compliance with 
the specific terms and conditions listed 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.

3. KenAmerican Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2004-022-C]

    KenAmerican Resources, Inc., 7590 State Route 181, Central City, 
Kentucky 42330 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.1103-4(a) (Automatic fire sensor and warning device systems; 
installation; minimum requirements) to its Paradise 9 Mine 
(MSHA I.D. No. 15-17741) located in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. The 
petitioner proposes to monitor the belt drive, take-up and tailpiece by 
a monitoring device located in the belt entry not more than 100-feet 
downwind of the tailpiece, belt drive and take-up in the same split of 
air where a belt line discharges onto a belt conveyor tailpiece. The 
petitioner states that its current Carbon Monoxide Monitoring System 
plan states that: ``where carbon monoxide sensors are used, they will 
be installed where a belt drive discharges onto a belt conveyor 
tailpiece, and the tailpiece will be monitored by a monitoring device 
located in the belt entry not more than 100 feet downwind of that 
tailpiece. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

4. Stillwater Mining

[Docket No. M-2004-005-M]

    Stillwater Mining, P.O. Box 1227, Big Timber, Montana 59011 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 57.9260 (Supplies, 
materials, and tools on mantrips) to its East Boulder Mine (MSHA I.D. 
No. 24-01879) located in Sweet Grass County, Montana. The petitioner 
request a modification of the existing standard to allow a factory 
designed, commercially marketed Brookville Mining Equipment Corporation 
Locomotive/Personnel Carrier, equipped with fifteen-person seating, to 
pull ore or supplies while transporting passengers on the locomotive. 
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would

[[Page 30727]]

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], by fax at (202) 693-9441, or 
by regular mail to the Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 
Mine Safety and Health Administration, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 
2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209. All comments must be postmarked or 
received in that office on or before June 28, 2004. Copies of these 
petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated at Arlington, Virginia, this 24th day of May, 2004.
Marvin W. Nichols, Jr.,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 04-12117 Filed 5-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P