MSHA Says Latest Mine Inspections Net 134 Violations

The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration says it issued 134 citations during its latest round of inspections targeting problem mines.

The agency said Thursday that 60 of the violations were uncovered at coal mines in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee during March.

Another 74 citations were issued to metal and non-metal mines in Utah, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Nevada and Idaho.

MSHA says two of the West Virginia mines are operated by Richmond, Va.-based Massey Energy Co.

The agency started the so-called impact inspections in April 2010 after 29 miners died at Massey’s Upper Big Branch mine in southern West Virginia. The explosion remains the subject of criminal and civil investigations.

MSHA says it’s conducted 244 impact inspections and issued more than 4,800 citations.