Mining companies in northern Minnesota could face penalties and dust-control mandates under a new federal regulation that sharply limits asbestos in workplace air.
Under a regulation issued Feb. 29, the amount of asbestos allowed in mine air is 5 percent of what's now permitted. The new rule gives miners the same protection that other workers have had since 1994.
The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration since 2003 has identified five U.S. mine operations that have asbestos above the new limit. Two of them are in Minnesota.
Now, under the rule that takes effect April 29, federal regulators have the authority to order companies to reduce dust if testing shows that airborne asbestos is above the new limit. In the past, mine regulators urged mine companies to voluntarily meet the lower target.
That's what has happened at Northshore Mining's ore plant in Silver Bay, Minn., where needle-shaped asbestos fibers have been detected repeatedly since 2003, according to federal test results.
Testing at Northshore's mine in Babbitt, Minn., also found asbestos in the air.
Dana Byrne, spokesman for Northshore owner Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., said the company has installed additional dust collectors and other equipment to protect workers.
"The health and safety of our employees comes first," he said.
