CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Federal impact inspections at U.S. mines in March resulted in 152 citations and 14 orders.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration conducted the inspections at 10 coal mines and three other mines.
Six citations and five failure orders were issued at Peabody Midwest Mining LLC's Francisco underground mine in Gibson County, Indiana. MSHA says a loose coal rib put miners at risk of being hit by falling rock. In addition, combustible coal particles and dust were present on the belt structure and drive motors, power cables and other surfaces.
MSHA says inspectors monitored the mine's communication system upon arrival to prevent advance notice of the inspection.
The impact inspections began in 2010 after the Upper Big Branch mine explosion in West Virginia killed 29 coal miners.