Broken Hill Mining Company, Inc.

Plain-English summary

Broken Hill Mining Company appealed a civil penalty proceeding, but it did not file the opening brief required after the Commission granted review. The Secretary of Labor moved to dismiss the appeal, and Broken Hill did not oppose the motion. The Commission also gave the company an opportunity to explain why the appeal should not be dismissed, but the company did not respond. The Commission vacated the direction for review and dismissed the proceeding.

Decision snapshot

• Governing provisions: 29 C.F.R. § 2700.75; 30 U.S.C. § 801
• Outcome: The direction for review was vacated and the proceeding was dismissed.
• Key point: Failure to file an opening brief or designate the petition as the brief can result in dismissal of the appeal.

Full text (FMSHRC public release)

FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION
1730 K STREET NW, 6TH FLOOR
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006

                                          May 3, 1996

SECRETARY OF LABOR, :
MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH :
ADMINISTRATION (MSHA) :
:
v. : Docket No. KENT 94-972
:
BROKEN HILL MINING COMPANY, INC. :

BEFORE: Jordan, Chairman; Holen, Marks and Riley, Commissioners

                                             ORDER

BY THE COMMISSION:

    This civil penalty proceeding arises under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977,

30 U.S.C. § 801 et seq. (1994) (“Mine Act”). On October 11, 1995, the Commission granted the
petition for discretionary review filed by Broken Hill Mining Company, Inc. (“Broken Hill”).
Pursuant to Commission Procedural Rule 75, 29 C.F.R. § 2700.75 (1995),1 Broken Hill’s opening
brief was due to be filed by November 13, 1995. Broken Hill has not filed its brief and has
proffered no reason for its failure to do so.

   1
       Rule 75 provides, in part:

                    (a) Time to file. (1) Opening and response briefs. Within
            30 days after the Commission grants a petition for discretionary
            review, the petitioner shall file his opening brief. If the petitioner
            desires, he may notify the Commission and all other parties within
            the 30-day period that his petition and any supporting memorandum
            are to constitute his brief. . . .

Page 2

    On January 26, 1996, the Secretary of Labor filed a Motion to Dismiss for Want of

Prosecution pursuant to Commission Procedural Rule 75(e), 29 C.F.R. § 2700.75(e).2 The
Secretary states that Broken Hill failed to file its opening brief or designate its petition as such.
Mot. at 1. The Secretary notes that he has not been able to reach Broken Hill by telephone or
facsimile. Id. at 2 & n.2. He asserts that no injustice would result from the dismissal of Broken
Hill’s petition. Mot. at 2. The Secretary requests that the petition be dismissed with prejudice. Id.
at 3. Broken Hill has not filed an opposition to the motion.

    On March 14, 1996, the Commission issued an order directing Broken Hill to show cause

within 14 days why its appeal should not be dismissed. The file contains the return receipt
showing that Broken Hill received the show cause order on March 22, 1996. Broken Hill has not
responded to the show cause order. The Commission may vacate its direction for review if a
petitioner fails to file an opening brief in accordance with Rule 75. See 29 C.F.R. § 2700.75(e).

   2
       Rule 75(e) provides:

                    Consequences of petitioner’s failure to file brief. If a
            petitioner fails to timely file a brief or to designate the petition as
            his brief, the direction for review may be vacated.

                                                2

Page 3

    In light of the foregoing considerations, we grant the Secretary’s motion. Accordingly,

the direction for review is vacated and this proceeding is dismissed.

                                         Mary Lu Jordan, Chairman




                                         Arlene Holen, Commissioner




                                         Marc Lincoln Marks, Commissioner




                                         James C. Riley, Commissioner




                                            3

Page 4

Distribution:

Hobart W. Anderson, President
Broken Hill Mining Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 356
Sidney, KY 41564
(Certified Mail)

Cheryl C. Blair-Kijewski, Esq.
Office of the Solicitor
U.S. Department of Labor
4015 Wilson Blvd., Suite 400
Arlington, VA 22203
(Certified Mail)

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