Feds Cite SUFCO Mine in Utah for Safety Violations

Federal regulators cited Utah’s largest coal mine for safety violations as part of an inspection blitz of more than a dozen coal mines around the country.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration says it hit Arch Coal Co.’s SUFCO mine in Sevier County with 13 equipment violations and an order to fix the problems.

MSHA chief Joseph Main called the latest in a series of surprise mine inspections a “wake-up call” for mine operators.

The agency says it visited 13 coal and six other mines that it says had a history of poor compliance.

The results of an October inspection blitz were announced last week.

A spokeswoman for St. Louis-based Arch Coal said she couldn’t immediately respond to the federal action.