MSHA Seeks Comments on Mine Opening Forms
Published Date: 6/1/2026
Notice
Summary
The Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to keep collecting info from mine operators and miner reps about who’s in charge, when mines open or close, and legal details. This helps keep mines safe and organized without adding extra paperwork. If you’re involved with mines, you can share your thoughts by July 31, 2026—no extra fees or big changes, just a smooth info update!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Operators Must File Legal Identity Reports Within 30 Days
Operators must file MSHA Form 2000-7 to notify MSHA of the legal identity of the operator not later than 30 days after the effective date of the part and within 30 days after opening a new mine; operators also must notify MSHA within 30 days of any change in that information. Failure to notify in the required time is a violation of section 109(d) and is subject to penalties under section 110 of the Mine Act.
Extension of Mine Information Collection
MSHA proposes to extend, without change, the information collection titled "Representative of Miners, Notification of Legal Identity, and Notification of Commencement of Operations and Closing of Mines." Comments on the extension must be received by July 31, 2026. MSHA reports 9,522 annual respondents, 9,522 annual responses, an annual time burden of 1,717 hours, and annual recordkeeping costs of $790.
Representative of Miners Must File and Post Designation
A representative of miners must file MSHA Form 2000-238 with the appropriate MSHA District Manager and provide a copy to the mine operator. The operator must post the copy on the mine bulletin board and keep it current. A representative who can no longer comply must file a termination statement; MSHA will remove terminated designations and notify the operator.
Electronic Mine ID Requests Required
Mine operators must request an MSHA mine identification number using MSHA Form 7000-51 prior to submitting the Legal Identity Report, and MSHA requires Form 7000-51 to be submitted electronically to facilitate legal identity reporting.
Notify MSHA Before Opening or Closing Mines
The owner, operator, or person in charge of any metal and nonmetal mine must notify the nearest MSHA district office before starting operations and must notify when a mine closes. Notifications must include mine name, location, company name, mailing address, person in charge, whether operations are continuous or intermittent, and whether a closure is temporary or permanent.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-15670, Roof Control Plan Approval Criteria
In response to a public request, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is reopening the rulemaking record and is scheduling a virtual public hearing on the Agency's proposed rule published on July 1, 2025, titled, "Roof Control Plan Approval Criteria."
2026-15717, Ventilation Plan Approval Criteria
In response to a public request, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is reopening the rulemaking record and is scheduling a virtual public hearing on the Agency's proposed rule published on July 1, 2025, titled, "Ventilation Plan Approval Criteria."
2026-10456, Department of Labor Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Annual Adjustments for 2026
Good news for businesses and workers: the Department of Labor won’t raise any fines or penalties in 2026 because the usual inflation data wasn’t available. This means all civil penalties stay the same starting May 27, 2026. So, no surprise cost hikes this year—just steady rules and steady fees!
2026-15140, Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Sealing of Abandoned Areas
The Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to keep collecting info about sealing off abandoned mine areas to keep miners safe. They’re asking for public feedback by September 25, 2026, to make sure the process is clear and not too much work. This extension won’t add extra costs but helps keep safety rules up to date for everyone involved in mining.
2026-15139, Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Safety Standards for Underground Coal Mine Ventilation-Belt Entry Used as an Intake Air Course To Ventilate Working Sections and Areas Where Mechanized Mining Equipment Is Being Installed or Removed
The Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to keep collecting info on how underground coal mines use belt entries for fresh air while installing or removing mining gear. This helps keep miners safe by making sure ventilation rules are followed. If you’re involved in coal mining, you can share your thoughts by September 25, 2026, with no new costs or big changes planned.
2026-15141, Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment
The Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to keep collecting info about safety programs for surface mobile equipment used in mines. This helps make sure workers stay safe while keeping paperwork easy and clear. If you’re involved with mining equipment, you can share your thoughts by September 25, 2026—no extra costs or big changes are planned right now.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-10858, Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Records of Tests and Examinations of Personnel Hoisting Equipment
The Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to keep collecting records about tests and checks on hoisting equipment used to lift miners safely. This proposal asks for public feedback by July 31, 2026, to make sure the paperwork is clear and not too much work. If you work with mining equipment, this affects you, but no new costs or big changes are planned—just a smooth extension of current rules.
Next: 2026-10860, Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; Grantee Reporting Requirements for the Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) Program
The National Science Foundation wants to update how Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) grantees report their research progress. This affects universities and companies working together on cool science projects, making reporting clearer and easier. They’re asking for public feedback within 30 days before finalizing changes—no extra costs, just smoother info sharing!