On Monday, MSHA confirmed Resurrection Coal, which it named in a filed complaint with the US District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, paid its final payment installment on a total civil penalty assessment of $44,158.33.
The agency initially filed the documentation on January 12 for the operator’s failure to pay the fines attached to 245 violations of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 handed down after the inspections of the No. 1 and No. 2 mines in McDowell County and the No. 4 operation in Wyoming County.
The total for the violations was $42,656.89 but grew more than $1500 with accrued interest.
MSHA and Resurrection agreed to a settlement with the US Attorney’s Office for an installment agreement on March 15 and the following day the company paid $14,719 against the balance.
The US Attorneys' Office dismissed MSHA’s complaint after the US Treasury confirmed the clearing of the second and third installment payments.
“Mine operators must take the monetary penalties assessed against them very seriously,” Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health Joseph Main said, acknowledging the efforts of the USAO in coming to a final resolution.
“MSHA will continue to provide any assistance necessary to the justice and treasury departments as they take action to hold mine operators accountable for assessed civil penalties.”
According to federal data, bituminous coal-producing Resurrection Coal is controlled by Darvin Rowe.
The No. 1 mine is listed with an abandoned status and another mine, No. 3, is classified as a new operation by the agency.
