Controversial mine owner fined near-maximum for flagrant, 'powderkeg' conditions at Utah coal mine

The owner of the Utah coal mine where nine miners died last year has been fined $420,000 for flagrant violations at another of his operations in the state, the Tower Mine in Carbon County. The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration levied the fine against Andalex Resources, which is controlled by Robert Murray, left, of Murray Energy Corp. The maximum penalty for the violations is $440,000, reports Mike Gorrell of the Salt Lake Tribune.

Gorrell writes, "Inspectors repeatedly found excessive accumulations of hydraulic oil, fine coal particles covering electric equipment and excessive amounts of potentially explosive coal dust building up on conveyor belts, MSHA said. The coal dust standard is especially pertinent at Tower, which is known as a 'gassy mine' because the coal seams it excavates contain elevated levels of explosive methane gas. Volatile liquid hydrocarbons, which are like diesel fuel, also are found in Tower's coal seam."

The citations came during inspections after Murray Energy "moved into Utah in early August 2006 with the purchase of the Tower, Crandall Canyon, South Crandall Canyon and West Ridge mines from Andalex Resources," Gorrell reports. Crandall Canyon was the scene of the disaster that month. "Mike Dalpiaz, a United Mine Workers of America executive based in Price, said it is not uncommon for a mine to receive a flagrant violation notice every now and then. 'But to have as many as [Murray] has in one mine in such a short time is unbelievable.' Coal dust accumulations in a gassy mine, he added, are 'just like gunpowder. ... It just makes a big powderkeg in the mine.'" (Read more)