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Mine, Development, and Mineral Exploration Supplement

OMB: 1028-0060

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Supporting Statement for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions


OMB Control Number 1028-0060

Mine, Development, and Mineral Exploration Supplement

Expiration Date: January 31, 2007—USGS Form 9-4000-A



General Instructions


A Supporting Statement, including the text of the notice to the public required by 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(i)(iv) and its actual or estimated date of publication in the Federal Register, must accompany each request for approval of a collection of information. The Supporting Statement must be prepared in the format described below, and must contain the information specified in Section A below. If an item is not applicable, provide a brief explanation. When Item 17 of the OMB Form 83-I is checked "Yes", Section B of the Supporting Statement must be completed. OMB reserves the right to require the submission of additional information with respect to any request for approval.


Specific Instructions


B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods


The agency should be prepared to justify its decision not to use statistical methods in any case where such methods might reduce burden or improve accuracy of results. When Item 17 on the OMB Form 83-I is checked "Yes", the following documentation should be included in the Supporting Statement to the extent that it applies to the methods proposed:


1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection had been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.


This information collection is conducted as a complete census. The total frame for this canvass is approximately 617 establishments. On average, 54% of establishments respond.



2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:

* Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection,

* Estimation procedure,

* Degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification,

* Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures, and

* Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.


This canvass does not employ sampling techniques. Data are imputed for all nonresponses. For the large majority of the published statistics, the high response rate and good imputation methodology employed justify a maximum expected error of no more than plus or minus 5%. Accordingly, the majority of published statistics are rounded to three significant digits. Industry acceptance of this canvass and response to the USGS’s publication of the data continue to be extremely positive.



3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.


Two weeks after the initial mailout, establishments not responding receive a second request for information. Those establishments that still do not respond are contacted by telephone. For the larger establishments that do not reply, special efforts are made to elicit a response. Data are imputed for all nonresponses by using a variety of techniques. For example, a nonresponding establishment’s prior reported data are combined with industry trend figures and any available measure of establishment size, such as Mine Safety and Health Administration person-hours data, to generate imputed values.



4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Testing is encouraged as an effective means of refining collections of information to minimize burden and improve utility. Tests must be approved if they call for answers to identical questions from 10 or more respondents. A proposed test or set of tests may be submitted for approval separately or in combination with the main collection of information.


Periodic investigations have been performed to determine if the published canvass data are meeting our customers’ needs. Many of the USGS’s information customers are also businesses that supply our data. The USGS is in frequent contact with companies by way of industry associations and conferences. In addition, suggested changes to USGS data-collection methods that might facilitate or ease the respondent’s burden are sought as a part of nonresponse followup telephone contacts. At present, no formal tests are in progress that would require clearance.



5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.


For further information concerning this information collection, please contact:

Jeffrey P. Busse, Statistician, 703-648-4914 or Michele R. Simmons, Chief, Data Collection and Coordination Section, Minerals Information Team, 703-648-7940


File Typeapplication/msword
File TitleSupporting Statement for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions
AuthorSteven Stoller
Last Modified Byatravnic
File Modified2007-01-23
File Created2007-01-23

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