Feds Claims Kentucky Mine Owes $1.6M in Safety Fines

Federal mining officials are suing a southeastern Kentucky mine for more than $1.6 million owed in delinquent fines for violations of safety laws.

The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration said it issued 1,244 citations and orders to a Harlan County mine owned by D&C Mining Corp. from Jan. 24, 2006, to Feb. 8 of this year. The suit filed in federal court said the penalties amount to $2.7 million, though the company has settled about $1 million of that.

A phone number for D&C Mining, with a home address listed in Appalachia, Va., could not be located.

The suit asks a judge to order the mining company to pay a total of $422,809.57 in interest, plus accrued interest after Feb. 8.