Federal Register #2026-13226

Petition to Use Sealed Bottled Water in Stillwater Mine Refuge Chambers

This notice summarizes a petition for modification of mine safety standards at the Stillwater Mine in Montana: - Government Buyer: - Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances - Petition submitted by Stillwater Mining Company - No procurement of products or services is being requested - No OEMs or vendors are named or involved - Key request: - Modification to 30 CFR 57.11052(d) to allow use of sealed bottled water instead of waterlines in two refuge chambers - Each chamber (5300 West and 5000 West levels) is stocked with four 5-gallon sealed water containers - Designed to provide potable water for up to 8 persons for a maximum of 96 hours in emergencies - Unique requirement: - Sealed bottled water is proposed to reduce risks associated with restoring electrical infrastructure and water pumping systems in areas under care and maintenance - No products or services are being procured as part of this notice

Description

This notice summarizes a petition for modification submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by Stillwater Mining Company. The petition requests a modification to 30 CFR 57.11052(d) to allow the use of sealed bottled water instead of waterlines for supplying potable water in two refuge chambers at the Stillwater Mine in Montana. The petitioner argues that this alternative method will provide no less protection than the existing standard and will reduce risks by eliminating the need to restore electrical infrastructure and water pumping systems in areas under care and maintenance. Comments on the petition must be received by MSHA's Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances by July 31, 2026.

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