Two West Virginia coal mines cited during MSHA inspections in April
Federal inspectors issued a total of 82 citations and three orders to 10 U.S. coal mines during April 2016 special impact inspections.
Two West Virginia coal mines were among the 10 cited mines, including Panther Creek Mining’s American Eagle Mine in Kanawha County and Rockwell Mining’s Gateway Eagle Mine in Boone County, which each received three citations.
The American Eagle Mine previously received 16 citations during special impact inspections conducted in March.
Omega Holdings’ Huffman Highwall in Buchanan County, Virginia, which borders Mingo and McDowell counties in West Virginia, was cited the most last month, receiving 23 citations.
Also bordering Mingo County, Inspiration Resources’ Mine No. 5 in Pike County, Kentucky, followed the Huffman Highwall with 15 citations and three unwarrantable failure orders.
During the Inspiration Resources inspection, inspectors issued orders for an inadequate pre-shift examination, failure to water down roadways to prevent dust, and too-wide entries on the mechanized mining unit. According to the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration, violations exposed miners to serious hazards associated with roof falls, equipment accidents and respirable coal dust. Among the hazards associated with the citations were mine fires, electrical shock, inadequate ventilation, explosive environments and black lung, MSHA noted.
Virginia Conservation Legacy Fund’s Oak Grove Mine in Alabama made the list as well, receiving 11 citations. VCLF, through its affiliate Seneca Coal Resources, bought the Oak Grove Mine and the Pinnacle Mine in Wyoming County, West Virginia, from Cliffs Natural Resources in December 2015.
The remaining citations were issued to coal mines in Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois and Wyoming.
Three metal/non-metal mines in Iowa, Montana and California also received eight citations and three orders during the April inspections.
Special impact inspections, which began after the fatal Upper Big Branch mine explosion in April 2010, are conducted at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to their poor compliance history or particular compliance concern.
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