Explosive Materials and Blasting Units (pertains only to underground metal and Category III nonmetal mines deemed to be gassy)

Under 30 CFR 7.4 and 15, MSHA tests and approves blasting units and explosive materials as permissible for use in mines, respectively. Under 30 CFR 57.22606(a), mine operators of Category III metal and nonmetal mines must notify the appropriate MSHA District Manager of all nonapproved explosive materials and blasting units prior to their use. Explosive materials used for blasting must be approved by MSHA under 30 CFR part 15, or nonapproved explosive materials must be evaluated and determined by the District Manager to be safe for blasting in a potentially gassy environment. The notice must also include the millisecond-delay interval between successive shots and between the first and last shot in a round.

The latest form for Explosive Materials and Blasting Units (pertains only to underground metal and Category III nonmetal mines deemed to be gassy) expires 2028-06-30 and can be found here.