MSHA Extends Comment Period for New Design Manual
In response to a request by the National Mining Association, MSHA has extended until April 30, 2008, the period for comments on the advance draft of the updated “Engineering and Design Manual: Coal Refuse Disposal Facilities.” The advance draft can be accessed at www.msha.gov. The updated design manual is being prepared by MSHA and a team led by D’Appolonia Engineering. D’Appolonia developed the industry’s first design manual for coal refuse impoundments in 1972 for the MESA, the predecessor agency to MSHA, after the Buffalo Creek, W.Va., coal refuse dam failure that caused the deaths of 125 people.
The original manual is no longer in print. The updated manual will be greatly expanded and will address advances made in the past 30 years in dam safety and slurry impoundment design, construction, monitoring, inspection, and instrumentation. Specific design guidance has been added to the manual including engineering analysis for siting impoundments over or adjacent underground mines and consideration of earthquake impacts on refuse impoundment dam safety.
The original manual is no longer in print. The updated manual will be greatly expanded and will address advances made in the past 30 years in dam safety and slurry impoundment design, construction, monitoring, inspection, and instrumentation. Specific design guidance has been added to the manual including engineering analysis for siting impoundments over or adjacent underground mines and consideration of earthquake impacts on refuse impoundment dam safety.