ICG’s Sago operation in Tallmansville was cited three times January 19 and February 6, according to the Associated Press, two of which relate to the maintenance and testing of electrical equipment and communication of legal changes with the mine’s ownership. ICG purchased the former Anker Coal operation in November of last year.

Massey Energy’s Aracoma Alma No. 1 mine in Melville was fined four times on February 2 and 9, AP said, for issues relating to ventilation and explosives.

Twelve miners died at the Sago facility January 2 following an explosion, while two Aracoma workers died January 19 as a result of a belt fire. MSHA recently issued best practices memos on both incidents outlining suggestions to prevent future such accidents.

There have been 22 mining-related deaths so far in 2006 in the US, 20 of which have occurred at underground operations. A record low of 22 deaths were reported in the country in 2005.

In related news, MSHA announced late last week it submitted plans to the US Congress to increase mine citation fines to a new minimum of $US60,000 and maximum of $US220,000. Currently, it can fine $US60 to $US60,000 per infraction and, until 2003, the maximum fine was $US55,000.

“MSHA’s current penalty structure is 25 years old and needs updating to strengthen incentives for compliance. Mine safety violations put workers at risk, so the penalties for those violations need to be serious and straightforward,” MSHA acting administrator David Dye said in a statement last Thursday.