Mine safety regulators stop requiring blacksmith shops at surface mines

The US Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to remove old rules about blacksmith shops at surface mines. This means mine operators will no longer have to follow specific safety standards for these shops.

For decades, mine operators had to maintain blacksmith shops even if they didn't use them, or follow rules written for a time when every mine had one. This change removes a compliance burden that no longer serves a safety purpose. It reflects a quiet shift in how regulators update rules, focusing on actual risks rather than historical practices.