[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 100 (Thursday, May 24, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29184-29185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-10077]



[[Page 29184]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


 Notice of Affirmative Decisions on Petitions for Modification 
Granted in Whole or in Part

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Labor.

SUMMARY: The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforces mine 
operator compliance with mandatory safety and health standards that 
protect miners and improve safety and health conditions in U.S. Mines. 
This Federal Register Notice (FR Notice) notifies the public that it 
has investigated and issued a final decision on certain mine operator 
petitions to modify a safety standard.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the final decisions are posted on MSHA's Web site 
at http://www.msha.gov/indexes/petition.htm. The public may inspect the 
petitions and final decisions during normal business hours in MSHA's 
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, 
Room 2349, Arlington, Virginia 22209. All visitors must first stop at 
the receptionist desk on the 21st Floor to sign-in.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ria Moore Benedict, Deputy Director, 
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances at 202-693-9443 
(Voice), [email protected] (e-mail), or 202-693-9441 (Telefax), or 
Barbara Barron at 202-693-9447 (Voice), [email protected] (e-
mail), or 202-693-9441 (Telefax). [These are not toll-free numbers].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    Under section 101 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 
1977, a mine operator may petition and the Secretary of Labor 
(Secretary) may modify the application of a mandatory safety standard 
to that mine if the Secretary determines that: (1) An alternative 
method exists that will guarantee no less protection for the miners 
affected than that provided by the standard; or (2) that the 
application of the standard will result in a diminution of safety to 
the affected miners.
    MSHA bases the final decision on the petitioner's statements, any 
comments and information submitted by interested persons, and a field 
investigation of the conditions at the mine. In some instances, MSHA 
may approve a petition for modification on the condition that the mine 
operator complies with other requirements noted in the decision.

II. Granted Petitions for Modification

    On the basis of the findings of MSHA's investigation, and as 
designee of the Secretary, MSHA has granted or partially granted the 
following petitions for modification:

     Docket Number: M-2005-005-C.
    FR Notice: 70 FR 7760 (February 15, 2005).
    Petitioner: R S & W Coal Company, Inc., 207 Creek Road, 
Klingerstown, Pennsylvania 17941.
    Mine: R S & W Drift, MSHA I.D. No. 36-01818.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.332(b)(1) and (b)(2) (Working 
sections and working places).

     Docket Number: M-2005-030-C.
    FR Notice: 70 FR 28321 (May 17, 2005).
    Petitioner: Wabash Mine Holding Company, Three Gateway Center, 
Suite 1340, 401 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219.
    Mine: Wabash Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 11-00877.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.364(b)(1) and (b)(4) (Weekly 
examination).

     Docket Number: M-2005-045-C.
    FR Notice: 70 FR 39800 (July 11, 2005).
    Petitioner: Energy West Mining Company, P.O. Box 310, Huntington, 
Utah 84528.
    Mine: Deer Creek Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 42-00121.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.350 (Belt air course ventilation).

     Docket Number: M-2005-052-C.
    FR Notice: 70 FR 42103 (July 21, 2005).
    Petitioner: Bear Gap Coal Company, P.O. Box 64, Spring Glen, 
Pennsylvania 17978.
    Mine: No. 6. Slope, MSHA I.D. No. 36-09296.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1400 (Hoisting equipment; general).

     Docket Number: M-2005-053-C.
    FR Notice: 70 FR 42103 (July 21, 2005).
    Petitioner: Bear Gap Coal Company, P.O. Box 64, Spring Glen, 
Pennsylvania 17978.
    Mine: No. 6 Slope, MSHA I.D. No. 36-09296.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.335 (Construction of seals).
     Docket Number: M-2005-062-C.
    FR Notice: 70 FR 55174 (September 20, 2005).
    Petitioner: Kingwood Mining Company, LLC, Route 1, Box 294C, 
Newburg, West Virginia 26410.
    Mine: Whitetail Kittanning Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-08751.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.364(b)(1) (Weekly examination).
     Docket Number: M-2005-065-C.
    FR Notice: 70 FR 59374 (October 12, 2005).
    Petitioner: Black Stallion Coal Company, 500 Lee Street, P.O. Box 
1189, Charleston, West Virginia 25324.
    Mine: Black Stallion Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-09086.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.900 (Low- and medium-voltage 
circuits serving three-phase alternating current equipment; circuit 
breakers).
     Docket Number: M-2005-066-C.
    FR Notice: 70 FR 59374 (October 12, 2005).
    Petitioner: San Juan Coal Company, P.O. Box 561, Waterflow, New 
Mexico 87421.
    Mine: San Juan South Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 29-02170.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.503 (Permissible electric face 
equipment; maintenance) and 30 CFR 18.35 (Portable trailing cables and 
cords).
     Docket Number: M-2005-068-C.
    FR Notice: 70 FR 61473 (October 24, 2005).
    Petitioner: Six M Coal Company, 482 High Road, Ashland, 
Pennsylvania 17921.
    Mine: No. 1 Slope Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 36-09138.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1100-2(a)(2) (Quantity and location 
of firefighting equipment).
     Docket Number: M-2005-071-C.
    FR Notice: 70 FR 66469 (November 2, 2005).
    Petitioner: Kennecott Energy Company, 748 T-7 Road (82718), P.O. 
Box 1449, Gillette, Wyoming 82717-1449.
    Mine: Cordero-Rojo Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 48-00992; Jacobs Ranch Mine, 
MSHA I.D. No. 48-00997; Antelope Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 48-01337; Spring 
Creek Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 24-01457; and Colowyo Coal Mine, MSHA I.D. 
No. 05-02962.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.803 (Fail safe ground check circuits 
on high-voltage resistance grounded systems).
     Docket Number: M-2005-075-C.
    FR Notice: 70 FR 71862 (November 30, 2005).
    Petitioner: AMFIRE Mining Company, LLC, One Energy Place, Latrobe, 
Pennsylvania 15650.
    Mine: Nolo Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 36-08850.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1710-1(a) (Canopies or cabs; self-
propelled diesel-powered and electric face equipment; installation 
requirements).
     Docket Number: M-2005-077-C.
    FR Notice: 70 FR 75221 (December 19, 2005).

[[Page 29185]]

    Petitioner: Rockdale Energy, EHS, 3990 John D. Harper Road, 
Rockdale, Texas 76567, on behalf of Alcoa, Inc.
    Mine: Sandow Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 41-00356 and Three Oaks Mine, MSHA 
I.D. No. 41-04085.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 77.803 (Fail safe ground check circuits 
on high-voltage resistance grounded systems).
     Docket Number: M-2005-078-C.
    FR Notice: 70 FR 75221 (December 19, 2005).
    Petitioner: Advent Mining, LLC, 3603 State Route 370, Sebree, 
Kentucky 42455.
    Mine: Onton 9 Mine, MSHA I.D No. 15-18547.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1101-1(b) (Deluge-type water spray 
systems).

    Dated: May 18, 2007.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
 [FR Doc. E7-10077 Filed 5-23-07; 8:45 am]
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