The Trump administration says it will reconsider aspects of a rule that aims to protect miners from exposure to cancer-causing silica dust on the job.

In a court filing last week, the Trump administration said that the Labor Department plans to “reconsider” portions of the rule that are the subjects of an ongoing legal fight.

It did not specify what exactly it plans to reconsider about the rule, and a spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions from The Hill.

The rule in question was issued by the Biden administration in 2024. It lowered the legal limit for miners’ exposure to silica while on the job.

Exposure to this dust can cause lung cancer, kidney cancer and other lung diseases such as emphysema and silicosis. 

The Biden administration’s rule also requires mine operators to use engineering controls that reduce or prevent exposure to silica dust as the primary way to meet the standard.

And it required mine operators to set up medical surveillance programs and provide health examinations for miners. 

The Biden administration said that its rule would save more than 1,000 lives.

However, it has faced industry opposition.

Ashley Burke, spokesperson for the National Mining Association, has said the rule “needs to allow for” the use of administrative controls and personal protective equipment to help companies meet the standards. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, engineering controls are considered more effective than administrative controls or protective equipment at preventing workplace exposures. 

After the Trump administration’s latest filing, industry groups said in court that they are “optimistic” that the Trump administration’s action could resolve their issues with the rule.

However, they also said they are “left in substantial uncertainty” because the administration “does not say what its rulemaking will cover, nor how long its rulemaking might take.”

Supporters of the Biden-era rule says it is important for protecting people and preventing disease.

“Everyone deserves to be safe at work,” said Chelsea Barnes, director of government affairs and strategy at environmental organization Appalachian Voices.

“If this administration wants to increase mining across the country, they need to put the miners and the workers first and protect them from silicosis and black lung disease,” Barnes said. 

Trump admin will reconsider part of rule to protect miners from lung diseases