The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration yesterday announced it has placed 10 mine operators -- including five in West Virginia -- on notice for health and safety violations.

According to a news release from Dr. Gregory R. Wagner, MSHA's deputy assistant secretary for policy, each of the 10 mine operators has received letters addressing "a potential pattern of violations," and each will be given an opportunity to make improvements.

"The nine coal mines and one [lead-zinc] mine represent the fifth round of mine operators to receive these letters," Dr. Wagner said. "We hope this notification will encourage these 10 mine operators to integrate necessary improvements into their safety and health programs."

The MSHA assessments were based on 24 months of data collected through Aug. 31. The mine operators are cited if MSHA inspectors believe the violations could lead to serious injury or illness of a miner.

MSHA inspectors will review compliance within 90 days. If violations are not corrected, MSHA has the authority to withdraw miners from the operation.

The five West Virginia mines cited were Mountain Reclamation & Construction's Anna Branch Mine in Logan County; Spartan Mining Co.'s Ruby Energy Mine in Mingo County; Pine Ridge Coal Co.'s Big Mountain No. 16 Mine in Boone County; Laurel Coal Corp.'s Winifrede 12 Mine in Boone County; and Mammoth Coal Co.'s Slabcamp Mine in Kanawha County.

The five other mines are in Indiana, Missouri, Virginia and two in Kentucky.

In a separate mining matter, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers next week will conduct six public hearings across the Appalachian coalfields to give environmentalists and pro-coal forces a chance to debate mountaintop-removal mining.

Environmental groups want mountaintop-removal mining banned because they say it is too destructive, while the industry argues it should be allowed to continue the highly efficient method of extracting coal.

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