MSHA Extends Miner ID Paperwork Status Quo
Published Date: 5/8/2026
Notice
Summary
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) wants to keep collecting info for their Qualification and Certification Program, which helps track miners with a special ID number called MIIN. This affects miners and companies who need these IDs to work safely and legally. They’re asking for public feedback by July 7, 2026, and there’s no new cost or big changes—just a smooth extension to keep things running.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
MIIN Required for MSHA Certifications
If you want an MSHA qualification, certification, or Part 90 status, you must apply for a Mine Safety and Health Administration Individual Identification Number (MIIN) using MSHA Form 5000-46. MIINs are required when applying for new qualifications or updating existing ones and are used on Dust Data Cards and Part 90 miner records.
MIIN Replaces SSNs to Protect Identity
MSHA uses MIINs instead of Social Security numbers when collecting taxpayer-identifying information for qualifications and certifications. This change implements Executive Order 13402 to better secure government-held personal data.
Aggregate Paperwork Burden on Businesses
MSHA estimates the Qualification and Certification MIIN information collection affects 9,000 annual respondents, with 9,000 annual responses, a total annual time burden of 720 hours, and annual recordkeeping costs of $180. The agency is proposing an extension without change and is soliciting comments by July 7, 2026.
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