Murray agrees to pay $3.3M penalty for W.Va. mine violations
The U.S. Department of Labor and Murray Energy announced Wednesday they have agreed to settle more than 1,700 violations at five coal mines in northern West Virginia formerly owned by Consol Energy.
Ohio-based Murray Energy agreed to pay $3.3 million in penalties to resolve the 1,753 safety violations found at the mines at Blacksville No. 2, Robinson Run No. 95, Shoemaker, Loveridge No. 22 and McElroy, according to the Department of Labor. Murray Energy bought the mines from Consol in December 2013.
An administrative law judge with the federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission reviewed and approved the settlement before terms were released Wednesday afternoon.
Joseph Main, the assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health, noted that all MSHA violations were prior to Murray’s acquisition of the mines and the settlement ends outstanding litigation against the company.
“We believe this will allow Murray to focus its time and effort on current and future safety, health and compliance issues,” Main said in a written statement.
Look for more details in tomorrow’s Observer-Reporter.