The Department of Labor Office of the Solicitor sent letters to the producers in May on behalf of MSHA based on “significant levels of delinquent debt” from civil penalties accrued over 18 months.

“In each case, the civil penalties had long become final orders under Section 105(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977,” the agency said.

The payments were made by Murray Energy subsidiary Andalex Resources for civil penalties of more than $70,000 at the Aberdeen mine in Carbon County, Utah; Left Fork Mining's Straight Creek No. 1 Mine in Bell County, Kentucky, which owed more than $71,000; and Leeco No. 68 Mine in Perry County, Kentucky, which had debt exceeding $86,000.

“When mine operators do not pay civil penalties, they have a reduced incentive to prevent and remedy the hazards that face the men and women who work in their mines," said agency acting assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health Richard Stickler.

“We will work diligently to identify mine operators who fail to comply with their duty to pay civil penalties, and we will take all necessary actions to ensure they do so."

MSHA said Andalex’s fines were paid in June and Leeco paid in July. In the case of Left Fork, the fees were paid but the operator requested that the agency reopen its cases, and the ruling is still pending.