The head of the Mine Safety and Health Administration says a
southern West Virginia
MSHA chief Joe Main says Coal River Mining's Fork Creek No. 1
mine in Lincoln County
An MSHA audit also found 158 significant and substantial
violations at the mine in the 12-month period ending Aug. 31. That includes 21
ventilation violations, 21 for explosion hazards and 14 for failing to properly
support underground roof and rib structures that protect miners.
When a mine is put on the pattern of violations list, it is
subject to a higher level of scrutiny. It puts more responsibility on the
operator to identify and correct safety problems.
It's the fourth mine added to the POV list.
