; contempt (i) Subpoena authority For the purpose of making any investigation of any accident or other occurrence relating to health or safety in a coal or other mine under this paragraph, the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health shall at the request of a majority of the Panel or upon his own initiative sign and issue subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of relevant papers, books, and documents, and administer oaths. Witnesses summoned shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the courts of the United States. (ii) Contumacy In case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpoena served upon any person under this section, the district court of the United States for any district in which such person is found or resides or transacts business, upon application by the United States and after notice to such person, shall have jurisdiction to issue an order requiring such person to appear and give testimony before the Director or Panel, or to appear and produce documents before the Director or Panel, or both, and any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by such court as a contempt thereof. (iii) Additional investigative authority In carrying out inspections and investigations under this subsection, the staff of the Director or Panel and attorneys representing the Director or Panel are authorized to question any individual privately. Under this subparagraph, any individual who is willing to speak with or provide a statement to the Director or Panel’s staff or their attorneys, may do so without the presence, involvement, or knowledge of the operator or the operator's agents or attorneys. The Director or Panel shall keep the identity of an individual providing such a statement confidential to the extent permitted by law. Nothing in this paragraph prevents any individual from being represented by that individual’s personal attorney or other representative. (H) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to