Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine
Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. § 813,
authorizes MSHA to collect information necessary to carry out its
duty in protecting the safety and health of miners. Title 30 CFR
57.22401 sets forth the safety requirements for using a retort to
extract oil from shale in underground metal and nonmetal I-A and
I-B mines (those that operate in a combustible ore and either
liberate methane or have the potential to liberate methane based on
the history of the mine or the geological area in which the mine is
located). At present, this applies only to underground oil shale
mines. The standard requires that prior to ignition of underground
retorts; mine operators must submit a written ignition operation
plan to the appropriate Mine Safety and Health Administration
(MSHA) District Manager which contains site-specific safeguards and
safety procedures for the underground areas of the mine which are
affected by the retorts.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.