In a March 8 filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the Virginian producer said the Section 107(a) order from the Mine Safety and Health Administration was given to its AMFIRE Madison operation in Cambria County, March 3.

MSHA alleges that three workers for independent construction contractor Mervin Miller Contracting were working on a roof of a building at the mine that was under construction. None had properly attached the fall protection equipment they were wearing.

Alpha noted that no citation was issued, and the order was terminated the same day.

No injuries occurred as a result of the cited condition. The producer did not issue any further public statement.

Last November, federal officials issued a citation to the same minesite after a miner was seen entering an area of unsupported roof.

While an Alpha spokesperson did not comment to ILN at the time, the SEC filing submitted by the company after the incident confirmed that the safety policy for the 75-employee operation prohibited workers from entering such areas.

Alpha said in that same documentation that it would appeal the citation before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.

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.

Section 1503 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street and Consumer Protection Act, amended last July, now requires disclosure of all imminent danger incidents as part of new reporting requirements regarding mine safety.

Alpha operates more than 60 active mines and 14 preparation facilities in Appalachia and the Powder River Basin. The Madison room and pillar operation produces about 500,000 tons annually.