[Statutory Provisions]

The operator of a coal mine shall have in a fireproof repository located in an area on the surface of the mine chosen by the mine operator to minimize the danger of destruction by fire or other hazard, an accurate and up-to-date map of such mine drawn on scale. Such map shall show:

(a) The active workings;

(b) All pillared, worked out, and abandoned areas, except as provided in this section;

(c) Entries and aircourses with the direction of airflow indicated by arrows;

(d) Contour lines of all elevations;

(e) Elevations of all main and cross or side entries;

(f) Dip of the coalbed;

(g) Escapeways;

(h) Adjacent mine workings within 1,000 feet;

(i) Mines above or below;

(j) Water pools above; and

(k) Either producing or abandoned oil and gas wells located within 500 feet of such mine and any underground area of such mine; and,

(l) Such other information as the Secretary may require. Such map shall identify those areas of the mine which have been pillared, worked out, or abandoned, which are inaccessible or cannot be entered safely and on which no information is available.

Additional information required to be shown on mine maps under § 75.1200 shall include the following:

(a) Name and address of the mine;

(b) The scale and orientation of the map;

(c) The property or boundary lines of the mine;

(d) All drill holes that penetrate the coalbed being mined;

(e) All shaft, slope, drift, and tunnel openings and auger and strip mined areas of the coalbed being mined;

(f) The location of all surface mine ventilation fans; the location may be designated on the mine map by symbols;

(g) The location of railroad tracks and public highways leading to the mine, and mine buildings of a permanent nature with identifying names shown;

(h) The location and description of at least two permanent base line points coordinated with the underground and surface mine traverses, and the location and description of at least two permanent elevation bench marks used in connection with establishing or referencing mine elevation surveys;

(i) The location of any body of water dammed in the mine or held back in any portion of the mine; provided, however, such bodies of water may be shown on overlays or tracings attached to the mine maps used to show contour lines as provided under paragraph (m) of this section;

(j) The elevations of tops and bottoms of shafts and slopes, and the floor at the entrance to drift and tunnel openings;

(k) The elevation of the floor at intervals of not more than 200 feet in:

(1) At least one entry of each working section, and main and cross entries;

(2) The last line of open crosscuts of each working section, and main and cross entries before such sections and main and cross entries are abandoned;

(3) Rooms advancing toward or adjacent to property or boundary lines or adjacent mines;

(l) The elevation of any body of water dammed in the mine or held back in any portion of the mine; and,

(m) Contour lines passing through whole number elevations of the coalbed being mined. The spacing of such lines shall not exceed 10-foot elevation levels, except that a broader spacing of contour lines may be approved by the District Manager for steeply-pitching coalbeds. Contour lines may be placed on overlays or tracings attached to mine maps.

(n) The locations of refuge alternatives.

[35 FR 17890, Nov. 20, 1970, as amended at 73 FR 80697, Dec. 31, 2008]

(a) The scale of mine maps submitted to the Secretary shall not be less than 100 or more than 500 feet to the inch.

(b) Mine traverses shall be advanced by closed loop methods of traversing or other equally accurate methods of traversing.

[Statutory Provisions]

Such map shall be made or certified by a registered engineer or a registered surveyor of the State in which the mine is located.

[Statutory Provisions]

Such map shall be kept up-to-date by temporary notations and such map shall be revised and supplemented at intervals prescribed by the Secretary on the basis of a survey made or certified by such engineer or surveyor.

(a) Mine maps shall be revised and supplemented at intervals of not more than 6 months.

(b) Temporary notations shall include:

(1) The location of each working face of each working place;

(2) Pillars mined or other such second mining;

(3) Permanent ventilation controls constructed or removed, such as seals, overcasts, undercasts, regulators, and permanent stoppings, and the direction of air currents indicated;

(4) Escapeways and refuge alternatives designated by means of symbols.

[35 FR 17890, Nov. 20, 1970, as amended at 73 FR 80697, Dec. 31, 2008]

[Statutory Provisions]

The coal mine map and any revision and supplement thereof shall be available for inspection by the Secretary or his authorized representative, by coal mine inspectors of the State in which the mine is located, by miners in the mine and their representatives and by operators of adjacent coal mines and by persons owning, leasing, or residing on surface areas of such mines or areas adjacent to such mines. The operator shall furnish to the Secretary or his authorized representative and to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, upon request, one or more copies of such maps and any revision and supplement thereof. Such map or revision and supplement thereof shall be kept confidential and its contents shall not be divulged to any other person, except to the extent necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act and in connection with the functions and responsibilities of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

[Statutory Provisions]

Whenever an operator permanently closes or abandons a coal mine, or temporarily closes a coal mine for a period of more than 90 days, he shall promptly notify the Secretary of such closure. Within 60 days of the permanent closure or abandonment of the mine, or, when the mine is temporarily closed, upon the expiration of a period of 90 days from the date of closure, the operator shall file with the Secretary a copy of the mine map revised and supplemented to the date of the closure. Such copy of the mine map shall be certified by a registered surveyor or registered engineer of the State in which the mine is located and shall be available for public inspection.

[35 FR 17890, Nov. 20, 1970, as amended at 60 FR 33723, June 29, 1995]

Operators shall give notice of mine closures and file copies of maps with the Coal Mine Safety and Health District Office for the district in which the mine is located.

[35 FR 17890, Nov. 20, 1970, as amended at 60 FR 33723, June 29, 1995; 71 FR 16669, Apr. 3, 2006]