1219-0073 Rocis

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SUPPORTING STATEMENT
30 C.F.R. §§ 75.372, 75.373, 75.1200, 75.1200-1, 75.1201, 75.1202, 75.1202-1, 75.1203, 75.1204,
75.1204-1, 75.1721, 77.1200, 77.1201, 77.1202, Requirements for the preparation and maintenance
of accurate and up-to-date mine maps (pertains to underground and surface coal mines)
A. Justification
1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any
legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the
appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of
information.
The requirements for this collection are a result of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. § 312 (a),(b), & (c) and 30 C.F.R. §§ 75.1200, 75.1200-1, 75.1201, 75.1202,
75.1202-1, and 75.1203 requiring underground coal mine operators to have in a fireproof
repository in an area on the surface of the mine chosen by the mine operator to minimize the
danger of destruction by fire or other hazards, an accurate and up-to-date map of such mine
drawn to scale. These standards specify the information which must be shown: the range of
acceptable scale; the surveying technique or equivalent accuracy required of the surveying which
must be used to prepare the map; that the maps must be certified as accurate by a registered
engineer or surveyor; that the maps must be kept continuously up-to-date by temporary
notations and must be revised and supplemented to include the temporary notations at intervals
of not more than 6 months. In addition, the mine operator must provide the MSHA District
Manager a copy of the certified mine map annually during the operating life of the mine. These
maps are essential to the planning and safe operation of the mine. These maps provide a graphic
presentation of the locations of working sections and the locations of fixed surface and
underground mine facilities and equipment, escapeway routes, coal haulage and man and
materials haulage entries and other information essential to mine rescue or mine fire fighting
activities in the event of mine fire, explosion or inundations of gas or water. The information is
essential to the safe operation of adjacent mines and mines approaching the worked out areas of
active or abandoned mines. Section 75.372 requires underground mine operators to submit three
copies of an up-to-date mine map to the District Manager at intervals not exceeding 12 months.
Title 30 C.F.R. §§ 75.1204 and 75.1204-1 require that whenever an underground coal mine
operator permanently closes or abandons a coal mine, or temporarily closes a coal mine for a
period of 90 days, the operator shall file with MSHA a copy of the mine map revised and
supplemented to the date of closure. Maps are retained in a repository and are made available to
mine operators of adjacent properties. The maps are necessary to provide an accurate record of
underground areas that have been mined to help prevent active mine operators from mining into
abandoned areas that may contain water or harmful gases.
Title 30 C.F.R. §§ 77.1200, 77.1201 and 77.1202 requires surface coal mine operators to maintain an
accurate and up-to-date map of the mine and specifies the information to be shown on the map,
the acceptable range of map scales, that the map be certified by a registered engineer or surveyor,
that the map be available for inspection by the Secretary or his authorized representative. These
maps are essential for the safe operation of the mine and provide essential information to
operators of adjacent surface and underground mine operators. Properly prepared effectively

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utilized surface mine maps can prevent outbursts of water impounded in underground mine
workings and/or inundations of underground mines by surface impounded water or water and
or gases impounded in surface auger mining worked out areas.
Title 30 C.F.R. § 75.373 requires that after a mine is abandoned or declared inactive and before it
is reopened, mine operations shall not begin until MSHA has been notified and has completed an
inspection. Section 75.1721 specifies that the notification for new or reactivated mines be in
writing and lists specific information, preliminary arrangements and mine plans which must be
submitted to the MSHA District Manager.

2.

Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a
new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received
from the current collection.

The information is used by operators of coal mines for effective and safe mine planning and
when approaching abandoned underground mines or the worked out and inaccessible areas of
an active underground or surface mine. The abandoned mine or inaccessible areas of an active
mine could be flooded with water or contain explosive amounts of methane or harmful gases. If
the operator were to mine into such an area, unaware of the hazards, miners could be killed or
seriously injured. The requirements to provide MSHA with certified underground mine maps
annually, access for inspection of surface mine maps and the filing of mine closure maps provides
essential information for MSHA to plan and conduct mandatory inspections and review and
approve mandatory mine plans and permits. The required notifications prior to opening new
mines and reopening abandoned mines provide information for the same purpose. Accurate and
up-to-date mine maps are essential to the engineering plans and safe operation of mines and to
the health and safety of the miners, including in mine rescue and/or firefighting situations. In
addition, the mine closure maps also provide information essential to protecting public safety in
the future land uses of the abandoned mine sites.
3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis
for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of
using information technology to reduce burden.
Mine maps usually are large; no improved information technology has been identified that
would reduce the burden. Facsimile machines capable of scanning and transmitting documents
greater than 8.5" x 11" in size are not commonly used and are not cost effective. Similarly,
digital/electronic files used for computer generated maps are huge and require sophisticated
printers or plotters and computer software. MSHA does not maintain libraries of software or
large plotters at the district offices which would allow electronic transfer and reproduction of
maps.
Xerox paper or mylar copies, hand delivered, mailed or delivered are the most practical and
economical means to transmit mine maps. These prints can be as small as 24" x 36" or in
segments as large as 48" x 120" (as many segments and as large as the mine size and map scale
dictates). MSHA provides copies of the mine abandonment maps submitted to the District
Managers under 30 C.F.R. § 75.1204-1 to the U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Surface

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Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM). OSM microfilms and retains the maps in a
repository which is available to the public and to mine operators of adjacent properties upon
request.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information
already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2
above.
The information can only be provided by the mine operators who develop the areas, plan and
conduct the mining, and create the mine workings which are eventually worked out and finally
abandoned. MSHA requires underground mine operators to submit maps when an area is
abandoned. This information is microfilmed and retained in a Department of Interior map
repository and is made available to the public and to the mine operators of adjacent properties.
In addition, some States require underground mine operators to submit final, mine closure maps
and retain them in map repositories. However, the microfilm repository maintained by the U.S.
Department of Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement (OSM) containing
copies of the maps submitted to the MSHA District Managers, is the best organized, indexed, and
complete source of information available.
Maps are unique to each mine. There is no other source for this information.
5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities (Item 5 of
OMB Form 83-I), describe any methods used to minimize burden.
This information does not have a significant impact on small businesses or other small entities.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not
conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to
reducing burden.
Mine operators are required to maintain accurate and up-to-date mine maps. The maps must be
revised and supplemented at intervals of not more than 6 months and must be certified accurate
by a registered engineer or surveyor. Copies of the certified underground maps should be
submitted to MSHA annually. Up-to-date and revised mine closure maps must also be provided
to the Secretary whenever an operator permanently closes or abandons a coal mine, or
temporarily closes a coal mine for a period of more than 90 days.
In addition, mine operators must notify MSHA when a new mine is opened or a previously
abandoned or inactive mine is reopened so that an inspection can be conducted. The information
gathered and recorded on mine maps is essential for the safe operation of the mine and is
essential for assuring compliance with the safety standards imposed by the Mine Act and MSHA
regulations. The information is not available from any other source. Only the mine operator is
capable of continuously updating the mine map. Inaccurate or outdated information would
endanger miner safety.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be

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conducted in a manner:
! requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often
than quarterly;
! requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in
fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;
! requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any
document;
! requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government
contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;
! in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and
reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;
! requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and
approved by OMB;
! that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority
established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by
disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which
unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or
! requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential
information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the
information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.
The requirements are consistent with the guidelines in 5 C.F.R. § 1320.5.
8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the data and page number of publication in the
Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on
the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received
in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these
comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.
Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the
availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping,
disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or
reported.
Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those
who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years -- even if the collection of
information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may
preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.
MSHA published a 60-day preclearance Federal Register notice on October 31, 2008 (Vol 73,
Number 212, pages 64985-64986), soliciting public comments regarding the extension of this
information collection. One comment from Roger Jones of the Red River Coal Company was

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received. Mr. Jones suggested MSHA should start asking for electronically certified maps.
MSHA does accept, but does not require, filing of electronic copies of maps.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
MSHA does not provide payments or gifts to respondents.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the
assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
The Mine Act and 30 C.F.R. § 75.1203 provide that “[t]he coal mine map and any revision and
supplement thereof shall be available for inspection by the Secretary or his authorized
representative, by coal mine inspectors of the State in which the mine is located, by miners in the
mine and their representatives and by operators of adjacent coal mines and by persons owning,
leasing, or residing on surface areas of such mines or areas adjacent to such mines. The operator
shall furnish to the Secretary or his authorized representative and to the Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development, upon request, one or more copies of such maps and any revision and
supplement thereof. Such map or revision and supplement thereof shall be kept confidential and
its contents shall not be divulged to any other person, except to the extent necessary to carry out
the provisions of this Act and in connection with the functions and responsibilities of the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.”
11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual
behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered
private. This justification should include the reasons
why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the
information, the explanation to be given to persons form whom the information is requested,
and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.
There are no questions of a sensitive nature.
12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement
should:
!

Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour
burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed
to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on
which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than
10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is
expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity,
show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the
variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary
and usual business practices.

!

If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour
burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in Item 13 of
OMB Form 83-I.

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!

Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for
collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate
categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for
information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this
cost should be included in Item 13.

Mining companies maintain maps of their operations for a multitude of purposes. These maps
serve as a graphic presentation of work completed and projected and as such are invaluable
planning tools. The maps provide information essential to communicating operating directives,
to training personnel, to calculating and projecting equipment purchases, to scheduling and
planning development mining and underground construction, to calculating royalty payments,
and have traditionally been required by State agencies for licensing, permits and employee safety
purposes. MSHA standards require only such information as would have value in evaluating
that the operation is complying with specific safety standards and accurate and up-to-date mine
maps are essential in the event of a major mine accident event.
Nevertheless, MSHA standards do specify that these maps be created (a record of mining
activities), be available for inspection and require copies provided to MSHA and, in that sense,
impose a recordkeeping burden.
MSHA estimates (using FY 2007 labor costs calculated from weighted averages of U.S. Coal Mine
Salaries, Wages and Benefits - 2007 Survey Results, Western Mine Engineering, Inc. and actual
numbers of operating underground and surface coal mines) that the annual burden for 30 C.F.R.
Part 75 Subpart M - Maps is as follows:
Maps are prepared and revised twice annually based upon information gathered through mine
surveying and kept up-to-date by notations between revisions. MSHA estimates that of the 579
underground mines working at any given time, only 25% (145) are large enough to have survey
crews, drafting or computer drafting and a professional engineer or surveyor on the payroll.
MSHA also estimates that it takes approximately 8 hours for a three person survey crew to
complete all activities related to surveying a typical underground coal mine. It also takes an
engineer 4 hours to review the survey crew’s work and perform other related activities and 4
hours for a draftsman or computer technician to update the map or input survey data. The
remaining 75% (434) of the underground mines utilize contract surveying and engineering
companies.
2008 Underground Coal Mines
Surface Coal Mines

579
874
1,453 Respondents

145 mines x 3 man surveying crew x 8 hrs X 2/year

=

6,960 hours

For registered engineer or surveyor to supervise surveying, drafting and certify map accuracy:
145 mines x 1 registered engineer or surveyor x 4 hours x 2/year =

1,160 hours

Data entry, system operation or drafting, preparation of prints and documents for state or federal
agencies

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145 mines x 1 draftsmen/computer technician x 4 hours x 2/year =

1,160 hours

MSHA estimates that the average hourly cost for such technical personnel, survey crewmen is
equivalent to that on a coal miner at $33.70 per hour for an annual cost of:
6,960 hours x $33.70 per hour

=

$234,552

MSHA estimates the average hourly cost of an on staff registered engineer or surveyor to be
$64.88 per hour for an annual cost of:
1,160 hours x $64.88 per hour

=

$75,261

MSHA estimates the average annual cost of a draftsman/computer technician (or surface office
worker) to be the same as a secretary at $22.62 per hour for an annual cost of:
1,160 hours x $22.62 per hour

=

$26,239

Title 30 C.F.R. §§ 75.1204 and 75.1204-1 require that the certified mine maps be revised and
supplemented to the date of the closure and a copy be submitted to MSHA. Safety specialists
estimate that it takes approximately 2 additional hours to update the map. MSHA's records show
that there is an average of 114 underground coal mine closures each year. Those closures may be
temporary, permanent or permanent with all surface openings sealed. In all cases, if the closure
is for a period greater than 90 days, the mine operator is required to submit to the MSHA District
Manager an updated mine map.
114 mine closure maps x 2 hours

=

228 hours

MSHA estimates that the update and submittal of the closure map will require the services of
both the draftsman/computer technician to be the same as a secretary at $22.62 and a registered
engineer or surveyor at hourly costs of $64.88 each:
228 hours per closure map x $22.62 per hour for draftsman/computer tech.=

$5,157

228 hours per closure map x $64.88 per hour for registered engineer/surveyor = $14,793
MSHA’s estimate of burden hours and cost for 30 C.F.R. §§ 75.373 and 75.1721 for underground
mine operators to notify MSHA prior to opening a new mine or reopening a previously
abandoned or inactive mine is as follows:
Section 75.1721 specifies the information and mandatory mine plans which must be submitted to
the MSHA District Manager prior to opening the mine and prior to MSHA conducting an
inspection before coal extraction begins. The required notification does not include the submittal
of a certified mine map but does include documents and preliminary roof control and mine
ventilation plans normally developed by a mine safety director, a production manager or an
engineering technician. The information and plans required in the notification are neither
complex nor extremely detailed due to the presumed need to revise the plans as soon as
experience is gained in the actual mining conditions. The revised plan submittals are addressed
under their respective sections in other recertification estimates. MSHA recorded 114 opening or

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reopening events for underground mines in fiscal 2007 and estimates that each notification
required six hours to formulate and submit the required information and preliminary plans.
114 new mine or reopening of mine notifications x 6 hours

=

684 hours

MSHA estimates that the average hourly cost for preparation of such notifications to be $85.14
per hour for a mine supervisor/safety director resulting in a burden cost of:
684 hours x $85.14 per hour for mine supervisor/safety director

=

$58,236

MSHA’s estimate of the burden hours and costs of 30 C.F.R. Part 77 Subpart M - Maps (§§
77.1200, 77.1201 and 77.1202) for surface mine operators to conduct the surveying, prepare and
maintain the required certified mine maps is as follows:
In fiscal year 2007 MSHA recorded 874 active surface mines. MSHA estimates that 25% (or 219)
of those mines are sufficiently large to employ full time survey crews and registered engineers
with the remaining 75% (or 655) utilizing contract surveying/engineering companies. Generally,
surveying of surface mines can be accomplished more efficiently, using more sophisticated
surveying equipment and fewer man hours. In addition, there exists substantially less risk of
miners being entrapped or the mines requiring major mine rescue or recovery efforts. As a
result, the surface mine map standards do not include the continuous updating with notations,
availability at the mine site in a fire proof repository, or revisions every 6 months. However, the
mine maps must be certified by a registered engineer or surveyor. MSHA estimates that a survey
crew of three, including the registered engineer or surveyor, can maintain the required map
accurately and sufficiently up-to-date to satisfy the operating needs of the mine and have
available to a representative of the Secretary the required information on the mine map. A
typical surface survey is estimated to take 8 hours to complete by the survey crew with an
additional 4 hours by the engineer to review the work and conduct related activities.
219 mines x 2 survey crewmen x 8 hours

=

3,504 hours

219 mines x 1 engineer x 4 hours

=

876 hours

MSHA estimates the survey crewmen hourly rate to be equivalent to that on a coal miner at
$33.70 per hour and the registered engineer or surveyor hourly rate at $64.88 per hour.
3,504 hours x $33.70 per hour

=

$118,085

876 hours x $64.88 per hour for a register engineer/surveyor

=

$56,835

Total Burden Hours
Total Direct Burden Cost

=
=

14,572
$589,158

The summary and total burden hours for all 30 C.F.R. Parts 75 and 77 are as follows:
Regulation/Site

Task/Staff

Part 75 Subpart M - Maps (75.1200,

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# Mines

Staff

Hrs/
Staff

Annual
Frequency

Burden
Hours

1219-0073
75.1200-1, 75.1201, 75.1202,
75.1202-1 and 75.1203) (excluding
mine closure maps)
Survey
Engineer
Data entry, etc
Subtotal

145
145
145

3
1
1

8
4
4

2
2
2

6,960
1,160
1,160
9,280

Revise/Notify
Subtotal

114

1

2

1

228
228

Notify MSHA
Subtotal

114

1

6

1

684
684

Survey Crew
Engineer
Subtotal

219
219

2
1

8
4

1
1

3,504
876
4,380

Mine closure maps (75.1204 and
75.1204-1) Closure updates

MSHA notification of opening new
mines or reopening inactive or
abandoned mines (75.373 and
75.1721)

Part 77 Subpart M - Maps (77.1200,
77.1201 and 77.1202)

TOTAL

14,572

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers
resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden
shown in Items 12 and 14).
!
The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and
start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life); and (b) a
total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The
estimates should take into account costs associated with generating,
maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information. Include
descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system
and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the
discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital
and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting
information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring,
sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.
!
If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of
cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing

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!

or contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost
burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult
with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB
submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory
impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information
collection, as appropriate.
Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or
portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory
compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection,
(3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the
government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

MSHA has not included any capital equipment costs for the underground or surface coal mines
large enough to maintain their own surveying and map making capabilities because that
equipment is only incidentally used in complying with the standards. No equipment must be
purchased specifically for the purpose of providing/gathering the information required by these
standards. Mine maps are prepared on office equipment and or engineering equipment
maintained at the mine or in the contractors office for normal business related engineering
activities and not specifically for use in collecting data to satisfy MSHA’s mine map
requirements.
MSHA estimates that 75% of surface and underground mines are not sufficiently large to justify
equipping and maintaining a surveying, drafting and engineering capabilities dedicated to the
mine. In general, these operations generally will utilize contract surveying and engineering
services in preparing and maintaining mine maps. Even where a parent company or coal mineral
rights owner provides these services to several small mine operations, the arrangement involve
service contract charges to the individual mines. MSHA estimates each underground mine
requires a 3 man contract surveying crew (includes the registered engineer or surveyor) to survey
each underground mine twice each month and each surface mine quarterly to maintain the
information necessary for accurate and up-to-date mine maps. Each on site visit is estimated to
be 6.5 hours at $212 per hour. In addition, the contract surveying/engineering company would
provide to the operator an updated certified mine map twice annually and additional copies for
operator to send to MSHA and other agencies at an additional charge of $48 per print.
Underground Coal Mine Contract Surveying / Mine Map Cost Estimate
434 mines x 6.5 hours per mine survey x $212 per hour x 24 surveys
434 mines x 2 updated maps per year x 3 prints x $48

= $14,353,248
= $ 124,992

Surface Coal Mine Contract Surveying/Mine Map Cost Estimate
655 mines x 6.5 hours x $212 per hour x 4 surveys per year
655 mines x 2 updated maps per year x 2 prints x $48

= $ 3,610,360
= $ 125,760

Underground Mine Closure Maps - MSHA Notification Cost Estimate
MSHA estimates the only additional costs for preparation and submittal of mine closure maps
involves the copying and postage costs. Such costs are estimated to average $55 per map for
copying and special mail packaging and handling.

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114 closure maps x $55

= $

6,270

Opening of New Underground Mine or Reopening of Inactive or Abandoned Mine - MSHA
Notification
114 opening or reopening notifications x $5.50 mail each notification
Total Burden Costs Associated with Providing Certified Mine Maps

=$

627

= $18,221,257

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a
description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours,
operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other
expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. Agencies
also may aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.
Cost to the Federal Government is minimal. Federal mine inspectors examine required maps for
compliance in the course of routine mine inspections. Therefore, the requirements result in no
significant additional costs to the Federal government. Underground Coal Mine maps are mailed
to the MSHA District Office in the district where the mine is located. Cost to the Federal
Government consists of the examination of the map by MSHA inspection personnel for the
required information and clerical and mailing costs for mailing the maps to the Office of Surface
Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement repository and maintaining the copy of the map in the
MSHA repository.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reporting in Items 13 or 14 of
the OMB Form 83-I.
There was a decrease in the total respondents, responses and burden hours as a direct result of a
decrease in the number of mines opening and closing.
Respondents: Decreased from 1,586 to 1,453
Responses: Decreased from 786 to 737
Burden Hours: Decreased from 15,936 to 14,572
Burden Cost: Decreased from $18,292,611 to $18,221,257
16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for
tabulation, and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used.
Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the
collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.
MSHA does not intend to publish the results of this information collection.
17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the
information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.
There are no forms associated with this information collection; therefore, MSHA is not seeking
approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of this information collection.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19, "Certification
for Paperwork Reduction Act Submission," of OMB 83-I.

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There are no exceptions to the certification statement identified in Item 19 of the OMB 83-I.
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 Form OMB 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 persons(s)
who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.
As statistical analysis is not required by the regulation, questions 1 through 5 do not apply.

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Federal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977,
Public Law 91-173,
as amended by Public Law 95-164

An Act
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled. That this Act may be cited as the "Federal Mine Safety and
Health Act of 1977".
MAPS
SEC. 312. (a) The operator of a coal mine shall have in a fireproof repository located in
an area on the surface of the mine chosen by the mine operator to minimize the danger of
destruction by fire or other hazard, an accurate and up-to-date map of such mine drawn
on scale. Such map shall show the active workings, all pillared, worked out, and
abandoned areas, except as provided in this section, entries and aircourses with the
direction of airflow indicated by arrows, contour lines of all elevations, elevations of all
main and cross or side entries, dip of the coalbed, escapeways, adjacent mine workings
within one thousand feet, mines above or below, water pools above, and either producing
or abandoned oil and gas wells located within five hundred feet of such mine and any
underground area of such mine, and such other information as the Secretary may require.
Such map shall identify those areas of the mine which have been pillared, worked out, or
abandoned which are inaccessible or cannot be entered safely and on which no
information is available. Such map shall be made or certified by a registered engineer or a
registered surveyor of the State in which the mine is located. Such map shall be kept up
to date by temporary notations and such map shall be revised and supplemented at
intervals prescribed by the Secretary on the basis of a survey made or certified by such
engineer or surveyor.
(b) The coal mine map and any revision and supplement thereof shall be available for
inspection by the Secretary or his authorized representative, by coal mine inspectors of
the State in which the mine is located, by miners in the mine and their representatives and
by operators of adjacent coal mines and by persons owning, leasing, or residing on
surface areas of such mines or areas adjacent to such mines. The operator shall furnish to
the Secretary or his authorized representative and to the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development, upon request, one or more copies of such map and any revision and
supplement thereof. Such map or revision and supplement thereof shall be kept
confidential and its contents shall not be divulged to any other person, except to the
extent necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act and in connection with the
functions and responsibilities of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(c) Whenever an operator permanently closes or abandons a coal mine, or temporarily
closes a coal mine for a period of more than ninety days, he shall promptly notify the
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Secretary of such closure. Within sixty days of the permanent closure or abandonment of
the mine, or, when the mine is temporarily closed, upon the expiration of a period of
ninety days from the date of closure, the operator shall file with the Secretary a copy of
the mine map revised and supplemented to the date of the closure. Such copy of the mine
map shall be certified by. a registered surveyor or registered engineer of the State in
which the mine is located and shall be available for public inspection.

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