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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Blackhawk Mining was ordered to pay civil penalties of just under $350,000 for 533 citations issued by inspectors from the federal Mine Safety and Health Admiistration.
Chief Administrative Law Judge Glynn Voisin with the Mine Safety and Health Review Commission issued the order in recent days in association with an approved settlement agreemment over the penaltiies.
MSHA issued citations following routine inspections at Blackhawk mining operations in West Virginia and Kentucky between April 2021 and March 2022. The citations were issued for violations observed by inspectors at 14 of the company’s mines. The citations were for roof control issues, unsafe accmulation of combustible material, failure to maintain proper ventilation, equipment maintenance issues, and failure to conduct proper safety examinations.
Judge Voisin issued the order after Blackhawk challenged the initial citations and penalties.