[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 30, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 30CFR75.207]

[Page 462]
 
                       TITLE 30--MINERAL RESOURCES
 
  CHAPTER I--MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
 
PART 75--MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS--UNDERGROUND COAL MINES--Table of Contents
 
                         Subpart C--Roof Support
 
Sec. 75.207  Pillar recovery.

    Pillar recovery shall be conducted in the following manner, unless 
otherwise specified in the roof control plan:
    (a) Full and partial pillar recovery shall not be conducted on the 
same pillar line, except where physical conditions such as unstable 
floor or roof, falls of roof, oil and gas well barriers or surface 
subsidence require that pillars be left in place.
    (b) Before mining is started in a pillar split or lift--
    (1) At least two rows of breaker posts or equivalent support shall 
be installed--
    (i) As close to the initial intended breakline as practicable; and
    (ii) Across each opening leading into an area where full or partial 
pillar extraction has been completed.
    (2) A row of roadside-radius (turn) posts or equivalent support 
shall be installed leading into the split or lift.
    (c) Before mining is started on a final stump--
    (1) At least 2 rows of posts or equivalent support shall be 
installed on not more than 4-foot centers on each side of the roadway; 
and
    (2) Only one open roadway, which shall not exceed 16 feet wide, 
shall lead from solid pillars to the final stump of a pillar. Where 
posts are used as the sole means of roof support, the width of the 
roadway shall not exceed 14 feet.
    (d) During open-end pillar extraction, at least 2 rows of breaker 
posts or equivalent support shall be installed on not more than 4-foot 
centers. These supports shall be installed between the lift to be 
started and the area where pillars have been extracted. These supports 
shall be maintained to within 7 feet of the face and the width of the 
roadway shall not exceed 16 feet. Where posts are used as the sole means 
of roof support, the width of the roadway shall not exceed 14 feet.