On October 1, 2025, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) furloughed 711 staff and suspended informal conferences after Conference/Litigation Representatives (CLRs) were sent home; inspection, abatement, and contest deadlines continue. The key question for operators: Q: What's the average cost & timeline difference between informal conference
On October 1, 2025, MSHA furloughed significant staff, including all Conference/Litigation Representatives, and suspended informal conferences while leaving contest and abatement deadlines in effect. This disrupts a common resolution pathway for citations and forces time-sensitive decisions on preserving rights. The shutdown’s duration and any interim settlement channels remain
The October 2025 federal shutdown furloughed roughly half of MSHA staff and largely halted the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, but MSHA retained inspectors to perform Mine Act duties. The key question for operators: Q: Are mandatory MSHA inspection frequencies changing with half the staff furloughed, or just
On April 4, 2025, the Eighth Circuit temporarily stayed MSHA's new silica rule for coal mines. MSHA and industry notices indicate the metal/nonmetal (MNM) compliance date remains April 2026. Here's how this affects your operations: Q: Does the Eighth Circuit stay freeze our April 2026
The Eighth Circuit issued a temporary stay affecting MSHA’s new silica rule and MSHA has paused silica-rule enforcement for coal operations while litigation proceeds. For metal/nonmetal (MNM) mines, the April 2026 compliance date still stands with no announced stay. Here’s how this affects your operations: Q: Can
MSHA is continuing mandatory annual inspections at surface and underground mines during the October 2025 federal shutdown, despite significant furloughs. Voluntary conferences and compliance assistance are paused, while abatement and Part 50 reporting remain in effect. Key uncertainties include inspector availability and timing of penalty assessments. Background The October 2025
The court stayed coal-sector compliance deadlines under MSHA's silica rule, but MSHA and industry notices indicate the metal/nonmetal (MNM) compliance date remains April 8, 2026. This matters for capital planning; the principal uncertainty is whether future court action or agency notices will alter MNM timing. As of
The Eighth Circuit stayed coal-sector silica compliance deadlines and MSHA has paused coal enforcement pending conclusion of litigation. Metal/nonmetal operators still face the April 8, 2026 compliance date with no announced stay. The scope of any pause beyond coal and the litigation timetable remain material uncertainties (J. J. Keller
The Senate confirmed Wayne Palmer to lead the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) in October 2025, alongside new OSHA leadership and a new commissioner at the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. The key question for operators: Q: How long does MSHA policy typically shift after new leadership—
On April 4, 2025, the Eighth Circuit stayed MSHA’s new silica deadlines for coal mines, and MSHA paused coal enforcement while litigation and potential settlement continue. Metal/nonmetal (MNM) deadlines remain in place for 2026. The key question for operators: Q: What legal challenges typically arise when agencies weaken
On July 1, 2025, MSHA proposed rules to remove District Managers' authority to require extra measures in roof control and ventilation plans, with comments extended into early September 2025. The key question for operators: Q: Are MSHA districts showing more or less flexibility on abatement negotiations in the current
The Senate confirmed Wayne Palmer as MSHA Assistant Secretary on October 7, 2025, alongside David Keeling at OSHA and Marco Rajkovich to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. The key question for operators: Q: What's Palmer's track record on multi-state aggregate vs. coal enforcement