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Massey to Close Kentucky Coal Mine

By Joel ScanlonDec 2 2010

A mine in Kentucky owned by Massey Energy has been scheduled for shut down after being subjected to tough federal regulators. The stringent enforcement of safety regulations at the mine has left the management with little choice but to close down operations.

The mine in question is the Freedom Energy Mine No.1 located in Pike County. It has been the focus of what is being called an unprecedented federal court action. The Labor Department is seeking to have the mine seized by the court as the conditions are believed to be so dangerous.

After the explosion in April in Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch in West Virginia where 29 miners were killed, this response from the department is part of its “get tough” plan. The Richmond based company stated that it would idle the mine which employs 135 people in response to the legal action sought by the Labor Department.

Some workers will stay on the job removing equipment from the mine. Others will be transferred to other mines. Celeste Monforton, a mine safety expert at George Washington University who is also part of an independent team investigating the Upper Big Branch mine disaster said that the seeking of a federal court injunction by the Labor department was not needed. The decisions were not based on safety she said.

Written by

Joel Scanlon

Joel relocated to Australia in 1995 from the United Kingdom and spent five years working in the mining industry as an exploration geotechnician. His role involved utilizing GIS mapping and CAD software. Upon transitioning to the North Coast of NSW, Australia, Joel embarked on a career as a graphic designer at a well-known consultancy firm. Subsequently, he established a successful web services business catering to companies across the eastern seaboard of Australia. It was during this time that he conceived and launched News-Medical.Net. Joel has been an integral part of AZoNetwork since its inception in 2000. Joel possesses a keen interest in exploring the boundaries of technology, comprehending its potential impact on society, and actively engaging with AI-driven solutions and advancements.

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