Skip to content
Part II Diesel Particulate Final Rules
Single Source Page

Metal/Nonmetal Mines


MSHA published final rules in the Federal Register on January 19, 2001. These rules deal with diesel particulate matter exposure for underground miners in both coal and metal/nonmetal mines. This page is your single source page to the rules for metal/nonmetal mines and the Regulatory Economic Analysis for these rules. Some of the documents are PDF. If you are not familiar with PDF please visit this page.

Outreach Seminar Materials

Seminars Presented December 2010
  • Diesel Particulate Matter Control Strategies - Power Point Presentation    PDF Version
    • Seminars Presented June 2009
  • DPM Overview - Power Point Presentation    PDF Version
  • DPM Emission Reduction Methods - Power Point Presentation    PDF Version
  • DPM Control Strategies - Power Point Presentation    PDF Version
    • Seminars Presented June/July 2006
  • PowerPoint Presentations (From Compliance Assistance Workshops on Diesel Rule, 2006)
  • Compilation Of Standards Addressing Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure Of Underground Metal And Nonmetal Miners
  • Word Version
  • PDF Version
    • Seminars Presented September/October 2002
  • PowerPoint Presentations (From Compliance Assistance Workshops on Diesel Rule, 2002)
    • Helpful Resources

    Standard Error Factors for 160 µg/m3 Total Carbon Exposure Limit
  • Word Version
  • PDF Version
    • Use of Error Factors in Determining a Miner's Overexposure to DPM
  • Word Version
  • PDF Version
    • Health Effects Information
  • The Diesel Exhaust in Miners Study: A Nested Case–Control Study of Lung Cancer and Diesel Exhaust (NCI study) Silverman, et. al    PDF Version    HTML Version


  • The Diesel Exhaust in Miners Study: A Cohort Mortality Study With Emphasis on Lung Cancer (NIOSH study) Attfield, et. al
    PDF Version    HTML Version
    • Metal and Nonmetal Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) Compliance Guide

    Controls Being Used to Reduce Diesel Particulate Matter Exposures in U.S. Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines
    The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) conducted compliance assistance diesel particulate matter (DPM) sampling throughout the underground metal and nonmetal mining industry. Based on that sampling, MSHA identified mines that were having difficulty meeting the DPM limit. To provide further assistance, MSHA then visited approximately 60 of the mines that were experiencing difficulty complying with the DPM standard. As part of these visits, DPM exposures were measured and control technologies for DPM were observed and assessed. Controls consisted of ventilation, clean engines, environmental cabs, alternative fuels, diesel particulate filters (DPF), and work practices.

        See Document
    Alternative Fuels
    Several alternative fuels are available to reduce diesel particulate emissions. These include both bio-diesel based fuels and water emulsion fuels. When selecting an alternative fuel, a mine should check with the distributor to make sure the fuel is compatible with the mining operation, as their use can result in increased maintenance or a loss in equipment power.

    A useful guide to buying bio-diesel, including links to an interactive map of distributors in all 50 states is available from the National Biodiesel Board on their web site:

         http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/guide/default.shtm

    They have also posted a list of marketers that are capable of supplying biodiesel anywhere in the country. The proximity of your potential biodiesel usage in relation to a marketers listed mailing address is not necessarily relevant to their supply logistics or price structure. We recommend that you contact several suppliers for product and price information.
    Diesel Fuel Testing on an Isuzu 4JG1T engine with and without a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst
     
    Using Biodiesel Fuels to Reduce DPM Concentrations; DPM Results Using Various Blends of Biodiesel Fuel Mixtures in a Stone Mine
    NIOSH Listserve
    A list-server has been established by the diesel team at NIOSH, Pittsburgh in response to the expressed and obvious need for a means to disseminate and share information and experiences concerning the application of available technologies for the reduction of miner exposures to diesel particulate matter and gaseous emissions in underground mines.
      Metal and Nonmetal Diesel Particulate Filter Selection Guide
    This Metal and Nonmetal Filter Selection Guide is the result of a joint effort of MSHA and the Diesel Team from NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory. The Selection Guide and the following Best Practices are under active development. They should not be viewed as an MSHA policy or requirement. MSHA welcomes any comments or suggestions on the information contained in these documents. MSHA also encourages the mining industry to share their experiences with diesel particulate filters.

        Go to the Guide
    Baseline DPM Sample Results
    This 1,194-sample dataset is MSHA'S final version of the baseline sampling for diesel particulate matter (DPM) in metal and nonmetal mines conducted from October 2002 through October 2003. MSHA conducted additional DPM baseline sampling after July 19, 2003 in response to mine operators' concerns that some mines were either not in operation or were implementing major changes to ventilation systems during the original baseline period. This revised dataset includes DPM samples from seasonal and intermittent mines, and mines that were either under-represented, or unrepresented, in the original 874 dataset.

        PDF Version
        Excel Version
    SKC Diesel Particulate Matter Cassette with Precision-jeweled Impactor

    Diesel Particulate Matter Sampling Field Notes, MSHA Form 4000-128

    Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) Control Technologies with Percent Removal Efficiency
    Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) Control Technologies

    Table I: Paper/Synthetic Filters
    Table II: Non-Catalyzed Particulate Filters, Base Metal Particulate Filters, and Paper Filters
    Table III: Catalyzed (Platinum Based) Diesel Particulate Filters

    Note: These tables are not all-inclusive and only contain manufacturers who have contacted MSHA in order to list their control technologies.
    Work Place Emissions Control Estimator  
    This file is offered to you in both Microsoft Excel® and PDF. You may download the Excel® spreadsheet if you wish.

    For an explanation on how the Estimator works please see this paper.

        Excel® Spread Sheet
        PDF
    Approved Part 7 Diesel Engines for Non-permissible Equipment

        See List

    Approved Part 7 Diesel Engines for Permissible Equipment

         See List

    NIOSH Publication N0. 2012-101, Diesel Aerosols and Gases in Underground Mines: Guide to Exposure Assessment and Control

         See Publication

    Program and Policy Information

    [PIB11-38]
    Re-Issue of P02-04 - Potential Health Hazard Caused by Platinum-Based Catalyzed Diesel Particulate Matter Exhaust Filters

    Rule Making (2005 - On)

    Notices

    [FedReg E8-11329]
    Notice of enforcement of DPM final limit; withdrawal of intent to issue a proposed rule.
  • See Related Program Policy Letter
    • Proposed Rules

    [FedReg 05-17802]
    Proposed rule; notice of public hearings; close of comment period; request for data.

    [FedReg 05-18737]
    Proposed rule; extension of comment period, change of public hearing dates

    Final Rules

    [FedReg 05-10681] 
    30 CFR Part 57 Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure of Underground Metal and Nonmetal Miners; Final Rule - 06/06/2005

    [FedReg 05-12817] Metal 
    30 CFR Part 57 Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure of Underground Metal and Nonmetal Miners; Final rule; corrections

    [FedReg C5-10681] 
    30 CFR Part 57 Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure of Underground Metal and Nonmetal Miners; Final rule; corrections

    [FedReg 05-18736] 
    30 CFR Part 57 Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure of Underground Metal and Nonmetal Miners; Final rule; delay of applicability date

    [FedReg 06-4494] 
    30 CFR Part 57 Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure of Underground Metal and Nonmetal Miners; Final Rule

    [FedReg C6-4494] 
    30 CFR Part 57 Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure of Underground Metal and Nonmetal Miners; Final Rule; Correction

    Regulatory Economic Analysis Materials

    Final Regulatory Economic Analysis And Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
    for Final Rule on 30 CFR Part 57 - Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure of Underground Metal and Nonmetal Miners

    Previous Rulemaking (2001 - 2004)