Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) - Final Rule on Sealing of Abandoned Areas in Underground Coal Mines

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Final Rule on
Sealing of Abandoned Areas
Single Source Page

MSHA Mine Seal Requirements

The final regulation addresses sealing abandoned areas in underground coal mines. It includes requirements for seal strength, design, construction, maintenance and repair of seals and monitoring and control of atmospheres behind seals in order to reduce the risk of explosions in abandoned areas of underground mines. It also addresses the level of overpressure for new seals.

The regulation for underground mine seals includes a requirement for seals designed to 50 psi if the atmosphere behind the seal is inert and requires seals designed to at least 120 psi if the atmosphere is not inert.

Sealed areas shall be monitored, whether ingassing or outgassing, for methane and oxygen concentrations and the direction of leakage. Atmospheres with seals of 120 psi or greater shall be sampled until the design strength is reached. Atmospheres with seals less than 120 psi shall be monitored and maintained inert.

Approved Seals

Currently, no seals have been approved under the final rule.

Approved Seals under the ETS

The mine operator may use these approved seal designs provided its installation is approved in the ventilation plan and the mine operator meets the provisions specified in ETS Section 75.336 (b) until October 20, 2008

Seals Designed to Withstand an Overpressure of 50 psi
Seal Designed to Withstand an Overpressure of 120 psi
Mine Inerting Information

Regulatory History of the Seals Rule

FedReg Doc. 08-1152 - 30 CFR Part 75 - Sealing of Abandoned Areas; Final Rule
- Regulatory Economic Analysis - Sealing of Abandoned Areas; Final Rule

FedReg Doc. 07-6128 - Part 75 - Sealing of Abandoned Areas; Final rule; limited reopening of comment period; availability; notice of public hearing; close of comment period.

FedReg Doc. 07-3977 - 30 CFR Part 75 - Sealing of Abandoned Areas; Extension of comment period.

Procedure Instruction Letter I07-V-4 - Procedures for Inspection of Seals

FedReg Doc. E7-12242 - 30 CFR Part 75 - Sealing of Abandoned Areas; Extension of comment period.

FedReg Doc. 07-2535 - 30 CFR Part 75 - Sealing of Abandoned Areas; final rule (ETS)
- Regulatory Economic Analysis - Sealing Of Abandoned Areas - Emergency Temporary Standard

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