ARCHIVE

Pinnacle cited for imminent danger but order vacated

CLIFFS Natural Resources’ Pinnacle mine in West Virginia confirmed late Monday it received an imminent danger order for high gas levels, though that order was subsequently vacated due to equipment error.

Donna Schmidt
Pinnacle cited for imminent danger but order vacated

In a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing, the producer said the 107(a) order from the US Mine Safety and Health Administration was dated May 29 and related to an elevated carbon monoxide level behind the mine’s Shawnee seals.

All personnel were removed from the area and the mine’s production was stopped.

“Later on May 29, MSHA determined by laboratory analysis that there was no elevated carbon monoxide present in the sample and the initial readings, which had been obtained by hand-held detectors, were in error,” the company said.

As a result, federal officials vacated the order the same day.

Cliffs said no accidents or injuries resulted from the condition or evacuation. Pinnacle does not expect to realize any material adverse impacts from the stoppage in operations.

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.

The Pinnacle complex, located near Beckley, includes the Pinnacle longwall mine as well as the Green Ridge operation. The 4 million ton per annum operation produces low-vol met coal.

TOPICS:

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Automation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations using autonomous solutions in every region and sector, including analysis of the factors driving investment decisions

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2023 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of current exploration rates, trending exploration technologies, a ranking of top drill intercepts and a catalogue of 2022 Initial Resource Estimates and recent discovery successes.