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The Virginia-based producer filed a report with the US Securities and Exchange Commission Friday confirming the July 23 incident at Shamrock Coal in Leslie County.
The 107(a) order, it said, alleged the accumulation at the plant’s belt transfer hopper caused rock and coal to spill off the incline belt and tower and onto the ground below, a traffic area for both mobile equipment and miners.
“Upon issuance of the imminent danger order, the preparation plant’s belt was stopped, the transfer hopper was cleaned, and the area underneath the transfer hopper was roped off and guarded to prevent miners or mobile equipment from traveling in the area,” James River officials said.
“After the above steps were taken, the company’s preparation plant resumed operations.”
There were no injuries.
Imminent danger orders are issued by MSHA under section 107(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, also known as the Mine Act.
James River acquired Shamrock Coal in 1999, adding mines, reserves and the preparation plant as well as the Clover loadout to the Bledsoe complex.
