MSHA Issued 290 Citations During Mine Inspections

Federal mining regulators issued more than 290 citations during October and November impact inspections.

The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration says it also issued 21 orders following inspections at 18 coal mines and three other mines.

MSHA issued 36 citations and six orders at Maple Coal Co.’s Maple Eagle No. 1 Mine in Fayette County.

The mine operator was cited for violating an approved roof control and ventilation plans and failing to install needed roof supports.

Mines in West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Minnesota and Utah also received citations.

The inspections began in 2010 after a mine explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia that killed 29 coal miners.

Since then MSHA has conducted 687 inspections and issued 11,427 citations and 1,052 orders.