Mining Company Petitions for Safety Standards Change
Published Date: 6/24/2026
Notice
Summary
Paramont Contura, LLC asked to change some mine safety rules to use a different way that keeps miners just as safe. This affects their mining operations and could change how they follow safety steps, with public comments due by July 24, 2026. The goal is to keep safety strong while possibly making things easier or more efficient for the company.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Permission to Mine Through Plugged Wells
Paramont Contura asked MSHA to let Deep Mine 46 in Virginia mine through plugged oil and gas wells using an alternative method if the MSHA District Manager approves and the operation follows the Proposed Decision and Order (PDO). The petition covers all wells within the mineable reserve and requires District Manager approval, a sworn affidavit, and supporting logs before mining within the safety barrier.
Stronger Onsite Mining-Through Safety Steps
If MSHA approves the petition, the operator must follow detailed safety steps when mining through a well: hold a pre-mining conference if requested, get District Manager-approved shifts, limit access to essential personnel, have firefighting gear and roof support ready, and monitor methane at least every 10 minutes once mining is within 30 feet of the well. The rule also bars open flames until methane is below 1.0 percent and requires methane monitor calibration on the shift prior to mining-through.
Detailed Plugging and Well Prep Requirements
The petitioned alternative requires the operator to clean out and plug wells to specified depths: at least 200 feet below the lowest mineable coal seam for wells under 4,000 feet total depth, or at least 400 feet below for wells 4,000 feet or deeper. It also requires pumping expanding cement under at least 200 psi, minimum 0.5% cement expansion on setting, perforating or ripping casing at specified intervals (generally every 50 feet, or as close as 5 feet near the seam in some methods), and marking the top of the plug with a magnetic monument or 36-inch-above-ground casing with the API number.
Training and Emergency Plan Timing Rules
Within 30 days after the MSHA PDO becomes final, the operator must submit revisions to its 30 CFR part 48 training plan and train miners involved in well intersections before mining within 150 feet of the next well; the operator must also submit revised mine emergency evacuation and firefighting plans and train all underground miners within 30 days of that submittal. The petition also requires that a copy of the PDO be kept at the mine and that miners be alerted before planned intersections.
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Key Dates
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