Coal mine deaths, fines and significant violations for the 10 largest coal mine controllers, 2000-2009
Monday, November 22nd, 2010
Even before an explosion at its Upper Big Branch mine killed 29 on April 5, Massey Energy had the worst safety record among the country's largest coal producers (read the full story). Analysis of public data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration shows that between 2000 and 2009, the company was hit with more "significant violations" and fines than any other company, and was tied for the most deaths with CONSOL Energy Inc., which employs more miners. Click here for an excel file of all coal mining fatalities from 2000 through 2010.
Click on a column header below to sort the list; click a second time to reverse the sort order
| Mine Controller | Coal mine employees (11/12/2010) | Deaths 2000-2009 | Fines assessed, 2000-2009 | "Significant" violations, 2000-2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massey Energy Company | 5695 | 23 | $44,353,291 | 25612 |
| Alpha Natural Resources LLC | 5394 | 9 | $7,843,064 | 5564 |
| CONSOL Energy Inc | 6038 | 23 | $29,428,489 | 20899 |
| International Coal Group Inc (ICG) | 2268 | 17 | $8,347,172 | 3314 |
| Alliance Resource Partners LP | 3323 | 17 | $13,163,750 | 7496 |
| Robert E Murray | 2151 | 10 | $18,192,186 | 7747 |
| James River Coal Company | 1434 | 7 | $12,375,916 | 9942 |
| Arch Coal Inc | 4137 | 6 | $5,441,039 | 3400 |
| Peabody Energy | 4862 | 6 | $26,653,455 | 8795 |
| Patriot Coal Corporation* | 3212 | 1 | $8,996,627 | 2779 |
Notes
*Patriot Coal Corporation was spun off from Peabody on Oct. 31, 2007.
Only fines assessed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) are included.
MSHA defines "significant and substantial" fines as those where an "inspector has indicated that based upon the particular facts surrounding the violation there exists a reasonable likelihood the hazard contributed to will result in an injury or illness of a reasonably serious nature."
Source: MSHA public databases, as of Nov. 12, 2010
