MAY 28 2019
In the matter of: Petition for Modification
Little Buck Coal Co.
Broad Mountain Slope
I.D. No. 36-10233 Docket No. M-2018-023-C
PROPOSED DECISION AND ORDER
On October 17, 2018, a petition was filed seeking a modification of the application of 30 C.F.R. § 75. 1200(d) (h) and (i) to Petitioner's Broad Mountain Slope, located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioned standard states, in relevant part,
The operator of a coal mine shall have...an accurate and up-to-date map of such mine drawn on scale. Such map shall show:...
(d) Contour lines of all elevations;...
- Adjacent mine workings within 1,000 feet;
- Mines above or below;...
Petitioner proposes to use cross-sections in lieu of contour lines through the mine intake slope, at locations of rock tunnel connections between veins and at 1,000 feet intervals of advance from the intake slope and to limit the required mapping of mine workings above and below to those present within 100 feet of the veins(s) being mined unless these veins are interconnected to other veins beyond the 100-foot limit through rock tunnels.
The Petitioner alleges that the alternative method outlined in the petition will at all times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection afforded by the standard.
MSHA personnel conducted an investigation of the petition from March 5, 2019 through April 24, 2019 and filed a report of their findings with the Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health. After a careful review of the entire record, including the petition and MSHA's investigative report, this Proposed Decision and Order is issued.
Finding of Fact and Conclusion of Law
This operation is currently mining the Buck Mountain anthracite coal vein which averages 3 feet to 9 feet in height and has an average pitch of 68 degrees to the south. The active primary intake slope is presently developed approximately 155 feet in length
and averages 11 feet in width. A 1st level gangway has been developed west of the slope, approximately 100 feet in length. The mine is in active/ producing status and employs a total of five miners. Four miners work underground including 1 supervisor. A hoisting engineer works on the surface. The mine operates 1 shift per day, 5 days per week. The average production is 12 tons per day. Advancement is slow in the primary intake slope and gangway due to blasting off the solid and hand loading.
Mining projections show developing the west gangway off the primary intake slope to a point where a return slope/ escapeway can be developed. The return slope is projected to be driven up the seam pitch to the surface. Once complete, an exhausting mine fan will be installed.
The method of mining is development of gangway, chutes, and headings, with initial pillar recovery on advance, and final pillar recovery on retreat. The mine life expectancy is 10 years. All mining is conventional, blasting coal off the solid, and hand loading or gravity loading coal from chutes into mine cars.
The operator stated that rock tunnels can be developed into the Seven Foot anthracite coal vein above the Buck Mountain coal vein.
The investigation revealed that application of 30 C.F.R. § 75. 1200(d), (h) and (i) to the subject mine will not result in a diminution of safety to the miners and the special terms and conditions set out below will at all times provide a safe work environment to the miners.
On the basis of the petition and the findings of MSHA's investigation, Little Buck Coal Co. is granted a modification of the application of 30 C.F.R. § 75. 1200(d) (h) and (i) to its Broad Mountain Slope.
ORDER
Wherefore, pursuant to the authority delegated by the Secretary of Labor to the Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health, and pursuant to Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C. § 811(c), it is ordered that Little Buck Coal Co. 's Petition for Modification of the application of 30 C.F.R. § 75. 1200(d),
- and (i) in the Broad Mountain Slope is hereby:
GRANTED, for the use of cross sections in lieu of contour lines, show adjacent mine workings within 1,000 feet of the intake slope and limiting the mapping of mines above or below this mine to those within 100 feet of the vein being mined, conditioned upon compliance with the following terms and conditions:
- A search by a registered engineer or surveyor of all available mapping, including cross sections, shall be conducted to determine the spacing between veins and the proximity of the projected and existing workings of the mine to other workings of adjacent mines. A hazard analysis shall be done when mapping indicates the presence of known or potentially flooded workings.
- The map shall show cross section(s) through the slope, at locations of rock tunnels between veins, and along gangways at 1,000-foot intervals. The mapping provided shall show the cropline of the vein being mined.
- Where adjacent workings are located within 1,000 feet of the projected limit(s) of the same vein being mined, those workings shall be mapped, the potential water/ gas hazard shall be evaluated, and a revised drilling program, if needed, shall be established under 30 C.F.R. § 75.388.
- Where projections include mining-through into inaccessible areas of the same vein or adjacent vein(s) and the conditions cannot be determined, a plan detailing the operation shall be submitted under 30 C.F.R. § 75.389 for approval by the district manager.
- Prior to recovering pillars known to be below the water level elevation in adjacent workings, a revised recovery plan shall be submitted under 30 C.F.R. § 75.220(a)(1) for approval by the district manager.
- When vein(s) within 100 feet above or below the vein being mined are interconnected by rock tunnels to other veins, all interconnected vein mapping shall be provided to within 1,000 feet of the active workings.
- Prior to mine development within 200 feet of known flooded abandoned workings in the same vein, a plan, under 30 C.F.R. § 75.389, must be submitted and approved by the district manager.
- Prior to the removal of pillars below the water level table and in the vein being mined, when a separation between veins is less than 100 feet and the adjacent vein is known to be flooded a revised roof control plan shall be submitted and approved prior to pillar recovery.
- Within 60 days after this Proposed Decision and Order becomes final, the Petitioner shall submit proposed revisions for its approved 30 C.F.R. Part 48 training plan to the Coal Mine Safety and Health District Manager. These proposed revisions shall include initial and refresher training regarding compliance with the Proposed Decision and Order.
Any party to this action desiring a hearing on this matter must file in accordance with 30 C.F.R. § 44.14, within 30 days. The request for hearing must be filed with the Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health, 201 12th Street South, Arlington, Virginia 22202.
If a hearing is requested, the request shall contain a concise summary of 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 after service thereof, the Decision and Order will become final and must be posted by the operator on the mine bulletin board at the mine.
/s/
David L. Weaver
Acting Deputy Administrator for
Coal Mine Safety and Health
Certificate of Service
I hereby certify that a copy of this proposed decision was served personally or mailed, postage prepaid, or provided by other electronic means this 28th day of May , 2019, to:
Mr. Ronald Bender Partner
Little Buck Coal Co.
21 Pine Lane
Pine Grove, PA 17963
Hotwheels_45@yahoo.com
/s/
Kim Picott-Wagner
Secretary
cc: Mr. Colvin C. Carson, Director, Bureau of Mine Safety PA Dept. of Environmental Protection 131 Broadview Road New Stanton, PA 15672 cocarson@pa.gov