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Mine Safety and Health Administration

Petition Docket No. M-2022-004-C

07/25/2023

In the matter of                                                         Petition for Modification Century Mining LLC
Longview Mine
I.D. No. 46-09447                                                      Docket No. M-2022-004-C

PROPOSED DECISIONAND ORDER

On February 7, 2022, Century Mining LLC filed a petition pursuant to 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and HealthAct of 1977 (Mine Act),30 U.S.C. § 811(c), and 30 C.F.R.

§ 44 et seq.,for the modification of the application of 30 C.F.R.§ 75.503(18.35(a)(5)(i))1 to the Petitioner's Longview Mine located in Barbour County, West Virginia. The mine is an underground coal mine.

The relevantstandard, 30 C.F.R. § 75.503,Permissible electric face equipment; maintenance, provides:

The operatorof each coal mine shall maintain in permissible conditionall electric face equipment required by §§ 75.500, 75.501, 75.504 to be permissible which is taken into or used inby the last open crosscut of any such mine.

The following MSHA approval regulations are also relevantto the petition. 30 C.F.R.§ 18.35(a)(5)(i), Portable (trailing) cables and cords, provides:

Ordinarily the length of a portable (trailing) cable shall not exceed 500 feet. Where the method of mining requiresthe length of a portable(trailing) cable to be more than 500 feet, such length of cable shall be permitted only under the following prescribed conditions:

1 Section 101 (c) of the Mine Act providesfor the modification of the application of any “mandatory safety standard” to a mine under certain conditions. The regulations in 30 C.F.R. Part 18 are not “mandatory safety standards.” Rather, 30 C.F.R. Part 18 sets forth requirements to obtain MSHA approval of electrically operated equipment. Because the application of 30 C.F.R. § 18.35 is not a “mandatory safety standard” subject to modification under section 101 (c) of the Mine Act, MSHA is construing the petitioner’s request only as a request to modify the application of 30 C.F.R. § 75.503.

(i)        The lengths of portable (trailing) cables shall not exceed those specified in Table 9, Appendix 1, titled “Specifications for Portable Cables Longer Than 500 Feet.”

Under Table9 of Appendix 1, the maximum allowable cable length is based upon conductor size – AWG or MCM. In addition, 30 C.F.R. § 18.35(a)(5)(ii) provides:

Short-circuit protection shall be provided by a protective device with an instantaneous trip setting as near as practicable to the maximumstarting-current- inrush value, but the setting shall not exceed the trip value specified in MSHA approval for the equipment for which the portable (trailing) cable furnishes electric power[.]

Longview Mine is requesting a modification of the existing standard as it applies to the length of portable (trailing) cablessupplying power to 995 VAC, 575 VAC and 480 VAC section mining equipment including continuous miners, roof bolters, shuttle cars and auxiliary fans. Longview proposes a maximum cable length of 1000 feet for section equipment during initial bottom development, mains, sub-mains, three-entry development sections, bleeder and recovery entries (see included proposed development projections).

Petitioner Proposed Method:

Petitioner is requesting a modification of the standardbased on the following factors and procedures.

  1. The maximum lengthsof the 995-volt, 575-volt and 480-volt trailingcables shall be 1,000 feet.
  2. The section equipment’s trailing cables shall not be smaller than No. 6 AWG American Wire Gauge (AWG). At no time will a trailing cable be smallerthan specified in the approval documentation for the machine.
  3. All circuit breakers used to protect trailing cables exceeding the maximum length specified in 30 CFR §18.35(a)(5)(i) shall have instantaneous trip units properly calibratedand adjusted to trip at no more than the smallest of the following values:
    1. The settingspecified in 30 CFR § 75.601-1;
    2. The setting specifiedin the approval documentation for the machine;or
    3. 70% of the minimum phaseto phase short circuit currentavailable at the end of the trailing cable.
  4. The calibrated trip setting of these circuitbreakers shall be sealed, locked,or protected so that the setting cannot be changed.
  5. These circuit breakersshall have permanent, legible labels indicating the circuit, cable size, maximum cable length and the maximum instantaneous setting. If the trailing cable sizes are intermixed at a section power center, the plugs shall be constructed or designed, for example keyed or sized, to permit only the proper type and length of cable to be plugged into the receptacle with the proper settings.
  6. Replacement instantaneous units used to protect trailing cables affected by this petition shall be calibrated and set in accordance with Item 3. This settingshall be sealed, locked or protected.
  7. All components that provide short-circuit protection shall have a sufficient interruption rating in accordance with the maximumcalculated fault currents available.
  8. Any trailing cablethat is not in safe operating condition shall be removedfrom service immediately and repaired or replaced.
  9. In the event the mining methods or operating procedures cause or contribute to the damage of any trailing cable, the cable shall be removed from service immediately and repairedor replaced, and additional precautions shall be taken to ensure that, in the future, the cable is protected and maintained in safe operating condition.
  10. Each splice or repair in the trailing cables shall be made in a workmanlike manner and in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer of the spliceor repair kit. The outer jacket of each splice shall be vulcanized with flame resistant material or made with material that has been accepted by MSHA as flame resistant. Splices shall comply with the requirements of 30 CFR 75.603 and 75.604.

At the beginning of each production shift, persons designated by the mine operator shall visually examine trailing cables to ensure that they are in safe operating condition. The instantaneous settingsof the specially calibrated circuitbreakers shall also be visually examined to ensure that the seals or locks have not been removed and that they are set in accordance with Item 3.

  1. Permanent warning labels shall be installed and maintained on the cover(s) of the power center or distribution box identifying the location of each sealedshort-circuit protection device. Theselabels shall warn miners not to changeor alter thesesealed short-circuit settings.
  2. This petitionshall apply to the initialbottom development of the mine and working sections that mine around gas wells or working sections developing mains, submains, three entry panels, bleeder and recovery entries.
     
  3. This petition shall not be implemented until miners who have been designated to examine the integrity of the sealsor locks, to verify the short-circuit settings, and to examine trailing cables for defects and damage, have received training.
  4. Within 60 days after the Proposed Decision and Order (PDO) becomes final, the petitioner will submit proposedrevisions for its approved part 48 trainingplan to the District Manager. The proposed revisions will include initial and refresher training regarding compliance with the terms and conditions of the PDO.

Findings of Fact and Conclusion of Law

On March 18, 2022, the petitionfor modification was emailed to the Morgantown District to conduct an investigation of the petition for modification.

On April7, 2022, a meeting was held between MSHA and the mine operatorregarding the subject petition.A copy of the petitionwas posted on the mine bulletin board.The investigation into the petition was limited because the mine is still under construction; therefore, there is no coal production and only a few employees. The mining equipment was stored on the surface of the mine.

The Longview Mine is located at 620 Peel Tree Road, Volga, West Virginia. Longview will operate and extract coal from the Lower Kittanning and Upper Mercercoal seams. The average mining height will be 6.5 feet. At the Longview Portal, the Lower Kittanning coal seam is approximately 880 feet below the surface. The mine will be ventilated by a 16-foot diameter intake air shaft and fan which is located at the portal site. A 24-footcombination return and intake dividedshaft will be used for exhaust air and personnel access via a 5-ton rated hoist and man cage. Longview will utilize the room-and-pillar and longwall mining methods to extract coal. The mine estimates they will employee approximately 375 coal miners at full capacity. Longview estimates production will begin sometime in May 2022 with approximately 63 employees.

Additional access for personnel and supplies will be by a 125-ton mine hoist system which will travel down a 3,500 foot, 15-degree slope. The slope floor will have rail installed for a brake car which personnel can use for ingress and egress from the mine. The slope entrywill also containa 72-inch mine conveyor in the top portion of the slope which will transport coal from the mine level to the surface.

The minersat Longview are not represented by a laborunion and there are no miners' representatives. The proposed petition has been posted on the mine bulletin board.

On May 27, 2022,a review of the petitionfor modification was conducted. The petition provided no detailed statements of the facts to establish the grounds upon which the petition for modification is warranted.

On January 31, 2023, the Morgantown District contacted Century Mining LLC by email requesting additional information to evaluate the petition for modification. On February 15, 2023, a follow up email was sent to the SafetyManager inquiring aboutthe status of the request for additional information. On February 27, 2023, another follow- up email was sent to the Safety Manager requesting the status of the additional information requested. On March 10, 2023, the district forwarded additional information received from Longview Mine and also stated that additional maps will be sent the following week. On March 21, 2023, MSHA sent out a follow up request to the Petitioner requesting the maps. MSHA has not received this information.

The following items are facts that support MSHA’s findings. The petitioner’s statements in the petition are not supported according to MSHA’s investigation and in somecases conflicts with the February7, 2022, petitionfor modification request.Some of the items being requested in the petition are no longer requesting to be used by the petitioner.

  1. The mine used a hypothetical fault study. No response was given for actual power center impedances in use at the mine, only power center prints. No impedance values were identified on prints. No current fault study for installed equipment was provided.
  2. Mine applied for 575 and 480-volt cables originally in their February 7, 2022, petition submission to OSRV. The petitioner stated they no longer need the petition for these cables because they have no intention of using these voltages.
  3. No approval numbersof equipment in use were provided as requested.
  4. Mine stated they would not need petitionfor 2/0 cable for miner.
  5. Mine stated calibrated trip settings will be obtainedfrom the manufacturer but did not respondto questions on non-OEM suppliers or test labs to be used. Or mine’s acceptable percentage error for mechanical relays used for extended cables.
  6. Mine states SEL overcurrent relays are used in the mine but did not provide any requested information relatedto the requested petition such as: any specific facts, settings, specific use, accuracy, and how units will be locked.
  7. Mine did not mention Tavrida circuit breakers were in use at mine but provided general information brochureson the breakers. Information was requested on the specific facts of the use of the Tavrida breakers at the mine, but no information was provided.

The regulations require facts to establish the grounds upon which it is claimeda modification is warranted. The petitioner in this case states the following.

The company feels modification to the existing standard would enhance the safety of the miners by minimizing the amount of power center moves thereby lesseningthe exposure to cable handling. Modification of the existing standard would also reduce the changes of a fire on a working section by allowing power centers for be farther from the working face.

On the basis of the petition and the findingsof MSHA's investigation, Century Mining LLC is not granteda modification of the application of 30 C.F.R.§ 75.503(18.35(a)(5)(i)) to its Longview Mine.

ORDER

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 and Health Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C. § 811(c), it is ordered that Century Mining LLC's Petition for Modification of the application of 30 C.F.R. § 75.503(18.35(a)(5)(i)) in the Longview Mine is hereby:

DENIED

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 Mine Safety and HealthEnforcement, 201 12th Street South, Suite401, Arlington, Virginia 22202-5452.

If a hearing is requested, the request shallcontain a concisesummary of positionon 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 may 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 Orderwill become finaland must be posted by the operatoron the mine bulletin board at the mine.

Brian Goepfert, 
Administrator for
Mine Safetyand 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      25th      day of  July               2023, to:

Mr. Daniel Curry Safety Manager Century Mining LLC 7004 Buckhannon Road
Volga, WV 26238 dcurry@centuryminingllc.com

Don Braenovich
Mine Safetyand Health Specialist

cc:        McKennis Browning, Acting DirectorOffice of Miners'Health Safety & Training #7 Players Club Dr. Suite 2, Charleston WV 25311 McKennis.P.Browning@wv.gov