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.
