1028-0062 part b-final

Supporting Statement for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions

OMB Control Number 1028-0062

Industrial Minerals Surveys

Expiration Date: July 31, 2008 (38 forms)

Form No.	Frequency	Canvass Code	Title
9-4001-A	Annually	D19	Lime
9-4002-A	Annually	D05	Byproduct Sulfuric Acid
9-4004-A	Annually	D08	Pumice and Pumicite (including Volcanic Ash)
9-4005-A	Annually	D11	Exfoliated Vermiculite
9-4006-A	Annually	C83	Gypsum
9-4007-A	Annually	D63	Stone – Crushed and Broken
9-4008-A	Annually	G10	Construction Sand and Gravel – Sold or Used
9-4009-A	Annually	D50	Dimension Stone – Including Slate
9-4010-A	Annually	G09	Industrial Sand and Gravel – Sold or Used
9-4011-A	Annually	D22	Barite
9-4012-A	Annually	D2G	Salt Company Report
9-4013-A	Annually	D27	Salt Plant Report
9-4014-A	Annually	D32	Quartz Crystal
9-4015-A	Annually	D39A	Common Clay and Shale and Fire Clay
9-4016-A	Annually	D39B	Bentonite and Fuller’s Earth
9-4017-A	Annually	D39C	Ball Clay and Kaolin
9-4018-A	Annually	D41	Ground Mica, including Sericite
9-4019-A	Annually	D42	Mica Splittings
9-4020-A	Annually	D55	Crude Mica
9-4021-A	Annually	D56	Talc, Soapstone, and Pyrophyllite
9-4022-A	Annually	D59	Natural Graphite Consumption
9-4023-A	Annually	D60	Crude Iodine
9-4024-A	Annually	D61	Crude Perlite
9-4025-A	Annually	D62	Expanded Perlite
9-4026-A	Annually	B38	Peat
9-4027-A	Annually	D72	Sulfur and Sulfuric Acid Sold or Used by End Use Industries
9-4028-A	Annually	G34	Natural and Synthetic Gem Material
9-4029-M	Monthly	D30	Elemental Sulfur (Purity of 97% or better)
9-4030-M	Monthly	D70	Marketable Phosphate Rock
9-4031-S	Semiannually	C82	Gypsum
9-4032-A	Annually	D58	Feldspar
9-4033-Q	Quarterly	D06	Metallic Abrasives
9-4035-S	Semiannually	D36	Phosphate Rock
9-4036-A	Annually	D07	Diatomite
9-4039-M	Monthly	D16	Portland and Masonry Cement
9-4041-A	Annually	D15	Portland and Masonry Cement
9-4112-A	Annually	D64	Synthetic Graphite
9-4115-A	Annually	D74	Production of Natural Zeolites

TERMS OF CLEARANCE: In accordance with CFR 1320, this collection is approved for one year. Upon its next request for OMB approval, the agency should provide the basis for its certification that the collection uses effective and efficient statistical methodology appropriate to the purpose for which the information is to be collected for each information collection (IC) included herein.

NOTE: These Terms of Clearance are addressed in the response for Part B Question 1.

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 statistical methods are used, 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.

All the canvasses in this information collection are conducted as a complete census. The total frame for all the canvasses is approximately 15,993 respondents. The sources of the frame are publications such as industry directories (e.g., the annual Skillings North American Mining Directory) and trade periodicals (e.g., North American Sulfur Services) as well as commodity specialists’ direct contacts with industry specialists. Once a year, commodity specialists update the frame. No sampling is performed. The data collected on these forms are used to publish information on the mineral production for each State, including State rankings. Each State typically has only a limited number of producers of each commodity. In order to have accurate State rankings, it is necessary to canvass all of the producers. For construction aggregates, crushed and broken stone and construction sand and gravel, there are a larger number of producers; however, the USGS publishes data for aggregates showing a breakdown by end use. There is considerable variation among the aggregates producers in the end use of their output; consequently, it is necessary to canvass all of the aggregates producers. In addition, the USGS publishes aggregates data for districts within most States. For each district, there are typically only a limited number of aggregate producers. On average, 82% 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.

None of the canvasses employ sampling techniques. However, individual establishments, by mutual agreement, have converted to reporting on an annual, rather than a monthly, quarterly, or semiannual basis to reduce their burden. For those establishments, a monthly, quarterly, or semiannual response is imputed from their annual response. Data are imputed for all non-responses. For the large majority of the published statistics, the high response rate and good imputation methodology used justify a maximum expected error of no more than plus or minus 5%. Industry acceptance of these canvasses and response to the USGS 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.

Paper forms

Two weeks after the initial request, establishments not responding will receive another copy of the paper form along with a second request for information. For establishments that still do not respond after the second request for information, generally a statistical assistant will contact them by telephone. If contact is not made we will follow the procedures for the non-response described below.

On-line electronic forms:

Two weeks after the initial request, statistical assistants phone establishments that do not respond. For establishments that still do not reply, commodity specialists may phone an alternative company contact.

Non-response:

Imputation of non response data may use industry trend figures, measures of establishment size such as Mine Safety and Health Administration employee-hours data, or company annual reports.

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.

Many of the USGS’ information customers are also businesses that supply our data. The USGS is in frequent contact with companies by way of industry associations and conferences (for example, the Portland Cement Association, National Lime Association, and the Gypsum Association; the USGS attends The Fertilizer Institute’s annual outlook meeting and the USGS participates in The Sulfur Institute’s market study group). Informal communications during periodic contacts with our customers allow us to determine if the published canvassed data are meeting their needs. Any feedback concerning this information collection discussed during these communications or non-response follow-up telephone contacts are used as suggestions that might facilitate clarification or ease respondent burden. Respondents are also encouraged to submit comments via a feedback link on the website. An annual letter is sent to our voluntary canvass respondents thanking them for their support and encouraging them to view our data products. 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, [email protected] or Scott F. Sibley, Chief, Mineral Commodities Section, 703-648-4976, [email protected].

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