PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P11-02 - Ground Control

ISSUE DATE: 02/25/2011
PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P11-02

FROM:

KEVIN G. STRICKLIN
Administrator for
Coal Mine Safety and Health

SUBJECT:

Re-Issue of P09-02 - Filing of Ground Control Plans for Surface Coal Mines

Who needs this information?
Coal mine operators, miners and miners' representatives, and Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) enforcement personnel should have this bulletin.
What is the purpose of this program information bulletin (PIB)?
The purpose of this PIB is to identify the advantages to mine operators of submitting
their ground control plans to MSHA well in advance of commencing mining to avoid
delays if safety issues are identified with the ground control plans.
Information
Under the requirements of 30 C.F.R. § 77.1000, mine operators are to establish and
follow ground control plans for "safe control of all highwalls, pits and spoil banks . . .
which shall be consistent with prudent engineering design and will insure safe working
conditions." Under 30 C.F.R. § 77.1000-1, a mine operator must file a copy of the ground
control plan with the District Manager.
Under certain mining conditions, highwall plans and other ground control plan designs
may be inadequate and not in conformance with prudent engineering design
parameters. For safety reasons, such as reducing miner hazard exposure and
minimizing risks related to highwall mining activity, MSHA must assure the adequacy
of all highwall and ground-related plans. If major flaws are identified in the plan after
mining commences, MSHA could issue citations or orders for remedial purposes. The
consequences of MSHA citations could include additional engineering costs and mining
delays, which could be lengthy, and adverse economic results until plans consistent
with "prudent engineering design" are prepared and filed with MSHA. In addition, if a
ground control plan was not filed with MSHA prior to beginning mining, those mine
operators could be subject to a citation as well. In order to avoid such circumstances,

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MSHA strongly encourages mine operators to involve the Agency very early in the
ground control plan design and submittal process. The benefit of this approach would
be to obtain MSHA agreement that plans are "consistent with prudent engineering
design and will insure safe working conditions" prior to adoption, thereby increasing
protection for miners and avoiding delays and adverse economic outcomes.
With this in mind, mine operators should consider the following when designing and
submitting ground control plans:
Involve MSHA as early as possible and prior to mining for assurance that design
parameters are sound, adhere to prudent engineering practices, and afford the miners
ample safety protections.
Develop ground control plans that specify remedial measures for adverse conditions
such as those presented by faults, fractures, joints, and/or other geologic anomalies, old
underground mines, and potentially adverse weather conditions.
Involve front-line supervisors when developing mining plans and apply prudent
engineering principles to address both normal and adverse conditions.
What is the background for this PIB?
On April 17, 2007, two miners were fatally injured when a highwall failed while the
miners were operating equipment in the pit bottom between the highwall and
backfilled overburden/spoil. The collapse of the highwall released an estimated 44,000
cubic yards of rock and material. Also, on January 12, 2008, a shovel operator,
positioned beside his shovel and a highwall, was fatally injured when the highwall
collapsed. The highwall consisted of sandy material and was approximately 45 feet
high.
Authority
The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended, 30 U.S.C. § 801 et seq.; 30
C.F.R. §§ 77.1000 and 77.1000-1.
Internet Availability
This PIB may be viewed on the Internet by accessing MSHA's home page at
www.msha.gov then choosing "Compliance Info" and then "Program Information
Bulletin."
Contact Person(s)
Coal Mine Safety and Health
Terry L. Bentley, (202) 693-9521
E-mail: bentley.terry@dol.gov

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Distribution
MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders
Miners' Representatives
Coal Mine Operators
Special Interest Groups