Mine operator injuncted

An eastern Kentucky coal miner has been barred from interfering with federal safety inspectors, the Lexington Herald-Leader reports.

According to the paper the injunction was issued by US District Judge Amul Thapar after the US Mine Safety and Health Administration sought the order.

The order relates to an August 17 incident at the Floyd County mine in which inspectors said operator Jeremy Bryant screamed at them and backed one against a wall while discussing a citation, the paper reports.

Bryant’s attorney Billy Shelton said in a court document that his client disagreed with the allegations but did not object to the injunction request.

Lease seized

Tuesday came and it couldn’t pay the rent, so out the door Hidden Splendor Resources went.

A federal judge in Utah cancelled the miner’s federal lease and ordered it to pay $230,000 in past due royalties and rental payments, the Deseret News reports.

The paper says the miner violated the terms of its coal lease and a Bureau of Land Management noncompliance notice by not posting a required bond, according to the order.

According to the Deseret News the US Attorney’s Office filed a civil action against Hidden Splendor Resources in December and the company worked with government on a stipulated agreement.

Gold up ahead of FOMC

Gold prices are higher in Europe, trading up 0.3% at $1,108.72/oz, as market participants stick to trading low volumes in anticipation of the start of the two-day FOMC meeting, the Wall Street Journal reports.

There is speculation that US interest rates could be increased for the first time in almost a decade at the meeting, which would likely strengthen the dollar and weigh on gold demand.

The precious metal is trading in a narrow $5 range, between $1,104.16/oz and $1,109.98/oz.

“Market participants are clearly reluctant to position themselves ahead of the interest rate decision, preferring instead to wait on the sidelines,” the WSJ quotes Commerzbank saying.