The Missouri-based producer said via a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing that the Mine Safety and Health Administration notified Brody Mining’s No. 1 complex on March 1 that the PPOV existed.

Brody was a contract mining operation of Black Stallion Coal Company prior to its affiliation with Patriot Coal.

“The violations that underlie the alleged potential pattern of violations were incurred under Brody’s prior ownership,” the company said.

“Nevertheless, Patriot has been working with MSHA to create and implement an appropriate corrective action plan and will continue to do so.”

No employees were injured as a result of the classification, and Patriot said production remained unaffected by the notification.

MSHA’s online PPOV monitoring tool, included in late 2011, allows anyone, including operators and miners, to determine how a mine matches up with screening data for a PPOV using the most recent data available.

It is based on enforcement data and is refreshed monthly.

The Mine Act provides for greater enforcement at mines exhibiting a pattern of violations of significant and substantial violations and the agency can screen for PPOV mines at least once a year.

Those receiving PPOV notices can implement corrective action programs and have the opportunity to reduce S&S rates to the agency’s targets.

Operators not meeting the targets are subject to a notice for a pattern of violations and closure orders for all of the S&S violations.