1028-0068 SS-B Ferrous Metals 2020-08-11 sts v2

Supporting Statement B

Ferrous Metals Surveys (15 forms)

OMB Control Number 1028-0068

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 the question “Does this ICR contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods?” is checked "Yes," the following documentation should be included in Supporting Statement B 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.

The canvasses in this Information Collection are conducted as a complete census. No sampling is performed. The total universe is approximately 954 respondents that are business or other for-profit institutions (Table 1 below).

Table 1. Consolidated estimates of annual burden (private sector) ¹

			PRIVATE SECTOR
	Form No.	Frequency	Number of Respondents	Responses	Completion Time	Burden Hours
1	9-4044-A	Annually	18	18	15 min	5
2	9-4045-M	Monthly	12	144	10 min	24
3	9-4047-A	Annually	106	106	30 min	53
4	9-4048-A	Annually	41	41	30 min	21
5	9-4050-A	Annually	16	16	30 min	8
6	9-4064-M	Monthly	10	120	60 min	120
7	9-4071-MA	Monthly	10	120	45 min	90
8	9-4071-MA	Annually	10	10	45 min	8
9	9-4076-A	Annually	10	10	60 min	10
10	9-4077-A	Annually	13	13	10 min	2
11	9-4078-M	Monthly	12	144	10 min	24
12	9-4079-M	Monthly	10	120	30 min	60
13	9-4093-M	Monthly	10	120	60 min	120
14	9-4116-MA	Monthly	50	600	30 min	300
15	9-4116-MA	Annually	492	492	30 min	246
16	9-4120-A	Annually	124	124	30 min	62
17	9-4140-A	Annually	10	10	30 min	5
T O T A L S			954	2,208		1,158

¹ Based on 100% response rate. Actual response rate is lower.

The 76% response rate for this collection over the past 3 years is expected to continue, based on the number of establishments that have traditionally responded to this request for information.

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. In some cases, individual establishments, by mutual agreement, have converted to reporting on an annual, rather than a monthly basis to reduce their burden. For those establishments, a monthly response is imputed from their annual response. Data are imputed for all non-respondents. Most published statistics are rounded to three significant digits. Estimation procedures for non-respondents are described in item (3) below.

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.

Mineral commodity specialists or statistical assistants call these monthly and annual non-respondents or alternative company contacts within two weeks after the initial request for information and annual non-respondents or alternative company contacts on or before the data close-out date.

Non-response:

Several sources of information are used to impute data for non-respondents. One important source of information is the data on the number of employees and employee hours that mining operations are required to submit to the Mine Safety and Health Administration. These employment data are closely related to production. Ratios of employee hours to production can be computed for companies that respond, and those ratios can be used to estimate production for non-respondents.

Forms 10-K or 10-Q filed with the Security and Exchange Commission and company annual reports can also provide valuable sources of information. Publicly traded companies must file annual reports on Form 10-K (OMB Control Number 3225-0063) including comprehensive overviews of their business and financial conditions and audited financial statements. This form may also contain consumption and sales information. Publicly traded companies sometimes elect to send Form 10-K to shareholders in lieu of less detailed annual reports. Publicly traded companies must also file Form 10-Q (OMB Control Number 3235-0070) quarterly. Firms include information for the final quarter of a firm’s fiscal year in the annual Form 10-K; therefore, only three Form 10-Q filings are made each year. Form 10-Q contains similar information to the annual Form 10-K; however, the information is generally less detailed, and the financial statements are generally unaudited.

The USGS also retrieves from company Web sites state-of-the-company annual shareholder reports containing financial data, results of continuing operations, market segment information, new product plans, subsidiary activities, and research and development activities on future programs.

The USGS believes that there is no significant non-response bias because of the suitable information on which to base imputations. This Information Collection Request does not contain a canvass of opinion.

Industry acceptance of these canvasses and response to the USGS publication of the data continue to be extremely positive.

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 respond to the canvasses in this information collection. USGS mineral commodity specialists are in frequent contact with companies by way of industry associations and conferences (for example, the American Iron and Steel Institute, the Ferroalloys Association, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, the International Tungsten Industry Association, the International Chromium Development Institute, the Cobalt Development Institute, the International Lime Association, the National Lime Association, Inc., and the Barytes Association. The information exchanged with these industry associations and at conferences includes trade, consumption, and production statistics, as well as information on technology developments within the particular industry.

Informal communications during periodic contacts with our customers allow us to determine if the published canvass data are meeting their needs. Any feedback concerning this information collection discussed during these communications or non-response follow-up telephone contacts is used as suggestions that might facilitate clarification or ease respondent burden. Respondents are also encouraged to submit comments via a feedback link on the Web at https://mids.er.usgs.gov/Feedback. 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 names and telephone numbers 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, jbusse@usgs.gov,

• Elizabeth S. Sangine, Chief, Mineral Commodities Section, 703-648-7720, escottsangine@usgs.gov,

or

Shonta Osborne, Chief, Data Collection and Analysis Group, 703-648-7960,

sosborne@usgs.gov.

104895000

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