Federal judge orders Ky. mining company to stop alerting miners about ’surprise’ inspections

Judge to company: Don’t tip miners on inspections

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A federal judge has ordered a Kentucky mining company to stop alerting miners to surprise inspections by federal regulators.

U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove in London, Ky., issued the order Friday barring Manalapan Mining Co. from warning underground miners that inspectors are on site.

The order stems from a mine inspection blitz last month after the nation’s worst coal mining disaster in 40 years. The blast at Massey Energy Co.’s Upper Big Branch mine in southern West Virginia killed 29.

The U.S. Department of Labor sued Manalapan Mining over the warnings in April.

Manalapan Mining attorney John Williams said the company is contesting the citations and the injuction will stay in place until that issue is resolved.