The US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) recently issued $291,600 in fines against a West Virginia mine for coal dust accumulations and failure to follow an approved ventilation plan. Big River Mining LLC, owner of the Broad Run Mine in Mason County, WV, was issued a high-negligence unwarrantable failure order for allowing coal and coal dust to accumulate around an energized coal conveyor belt tail and bottom belt roller. MSHA noted that the accumulations were packed so tightly around the turning rollers that the rollers and bearing housings were too hot to touch. A mine fire easily could have resulted. MSHA […]