Sago Mine Operator Fined More Than $100,000
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The federal government said Wednesday it had fined the company that owns the West Virginia mine where a dozen miners were killed in January more than $100,000 in new penalties.
The fines were for 43 citations that had previously been issued but which had not yet received a price tag.
They are part of 208 citations that the federal agency issued against Ashland, Ky.-based International Coal Group for problems at Sago in the calendar year prior to the Jan. 2 explosion.
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The new fines, totaling $105,840, are in addition to a little more than $24,000 previously assessed.
Many of the new fines are meant to address serious health and safety violations.
The largest fine was for $9,600 and involved roof support problems. Another fine for $9,200 dealt with ventilation problems.
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None of the penalties the government previously issued at Sago exceeded $1,000, a fact that has drawn criticism from lawmakers and worker representatives.
The mine agency recently announced plans to overhaul its penalty system and said the change would likely lead to a general increase in its fines. The agency's minimum penalty is $60, while $60,000 is its maximum.
International Coal Group vice President Charles Snavely said late Wednesday his company had not yet received word about the new fines.
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"MSHA, to ICG's knowledge, has not shared this information with ICG, and therefore the company cannot comment," Snavely said through a spokesman.
After it receives notification, a mine operator has a month to decide whether to appeal.
The agency had increased its inspections of the Sago mine prior to the accident.
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"The fines assessed reinforce MSHA's stepped-up and aggressive enforcement record at the Sago Mine before the tragic disaster occurred on Jan. 2," David Dye, the acting head of MSHA, said in a statement Wednesday.