9/24/25
In the matter of: PETITION FOR MODIFICATION
Coeur Alaska, Inc.
Kensington Mine
I.D. No. 50-01544
Docket No. 30 CFR Standard Issued Finalized
M-2016-009-M 57.11052(d) 04/03/2018 03/29/2019(ALJ)
PROPOSED DECISION AND ORDER TO REVOKE
On June 17, 2025, the Chief, Division of Safety received notification from MSHA’s Vacaville District requesting that Docket M-2016-009-M for Coeur Alaska, Inc. – Kensington Mine be revoked.
On June 17, 2025, the Vacaville District received a request from Ernie Mendoza, Health & Safety Director for Coeur Alaska, Inc. requesting that Docket M-2016-009-M be revoked. The modification to use 12-person Emergency Refuge Chambers – Portable (ERCP), manufactured by Strata Worldwide, which are equipped with internal air and water supplies, as a modification of 30 C.F.R. § 57.11052(d) at the Kensington Mine is no longer being used. All refuge chambers in place at the mine provide compressed air and water lines in accordance with 30 C.F.R. § 57.11052(d) and the modification approved in the petition is no longer needed. Coeur Alaska, Inc., Kensington Mine is continuing to provide Emergency Refuge Chambers, manufactured by Strata Worldwide, which are equipped with internal air and water supplies in addition to providing and maintaining compressed air and water lines to these units as well.
Therefore, MSHA has determined that there has also been a change in circumstances which originally supported the terms and conditions of the modification. As a result, the modification is no longer needed at the referenced mine. Wherefore, pursuant to the authority delegated by the Secretary of Labor to the Administrator for Mine Safety and Health Enforcement, and pursuant to section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety Health Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C. 811(c), the modification as it applies to the referenced mine is hereby:
REVOKED
Pursuant to 30 CFR 44.52, revocations of the granted modifications will become final 30 days after service of this Proposed Decision and Order to Revoke, unless a hearing is requested on the Decision and Order. Any party to this action desiring a hearing on this matter must file in accordance with 30 CFR 44.14, within 30 days. The request for hearing must be filed with the Administrator for Mine Safety and Health Enforcement, 200 Constitution Ave NW, Suite C3522, Washington, DC, 20210.
If a hearing is requested, the request shall contain a concise summary of the position on the issues of fact or law desired to be raised by the party requesting the hearing, including specific objections to the proposed decision. A party other than Petitioner who has requested a hearing shall also comment upon all issues of fact or law presented in the petition, and any party to this action requesting a hearing may indicate a desired hearing site. If no request for a hearing is filed within 30 days of service thereof, the Order to Revoke will become final.
Timothy R. Watkins
Acting Administrator for
Mine Safety and Health Enforcement
Certificate of Service
I hereby certify that a copy of this proposed decision was served personally or mailed, postage paid, or provided by other electronic means this 24th day of September, 2025, to:
Ernie Mendoza
Health & Safety Manager
Kensington Mine
3031 Clinton Drive, Suite 202
Juneau, Alaska 99801
emendoza@coeur.com
Alexander Bullinger
General Engineer
cc: Christianna Colles, Director,
Alaska Division of Mining, Land & Water
State of Alaska
550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 1070
Anchorage, AK 99501-3579
christianna.colles@alaska.gov