Alden Resources Harps Creek has $309K in proposed MSHA penalties and $41K outstanding across 32 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
25
Years on record
2002–2023
Latest incident
Jul 2023
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2002
1,808
citations
445
significant & substantial
$309,152
proposed penalties
$254,182
paid to date
82% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $54,970 gap.
citations per 100 inspection hours
ⓘThis rate is recorded citations divided by MSHA inspection hours, per 100 hours. It reflects inspection effort, not mine size or production.
1,808 citations across 20,950 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Alden Resources Harps Creek has $309K in proposed MSHA penalties and $41K outstanding across 32 contested dockets.
Penalty disposition
ⓘDifferences between proposed and paid penalties reflect both settlements and conference reductions and amounts still owed. Outstanding is the balance currently owed.
$309K
proposed penalties
$296K
current assessed
$254K
paid to date
$41K
outstanding
1,766 assessments are final orders; 32 contested dockets.
Of $67K in penalties contested before the Commission, $49K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-06-02.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.
Violation severity profile
ⓘShares are computed over citations that carry the MSHA gravity and negligence coding; a small share of records are uncoded.
Source: MSHA violations gravity and negligence coding, updated weekly.
When citations were contested
ⓘContesting a citation before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission is a lawful right. These figures state the public outcomes of that process, from MSHA's Contested Violations file.
157citations taken to the federal commission · 9% of citations on record
Settled
155 · 99%
Vacated or withdrawn
2 · 1%
90%
S&S designation survived the contest
ⓘCounts a Significant & Substantial citation as surviving when a settlement or judge's decision kept the designation, or the contest was dismissed or defaulted so the citation stands as issued. Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.
of 124 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
27%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$67K proposed, $49K after decisions · industry: 39%
Source: MSHA Contested Violations file (public record), updated weekly. A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record. Latest contest filed 2023-03-14.
Contested penalties
ⓘA reduction or dismissal at the Commission is a lawful outcome of contesting a proposed penalty. Figures are the proposed amount and the amount upheld in the docket's decision.
Largest penalties this mine contested before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, with the outcome on record.
MSHA sampling at Alden Resources Harps Creek shows 99% of 3,373 respirable coal dust samples met the 1.5 mg/m3 standard.
Health sampling
ⓘA sample is a point in time compliance measurement, not an individual exposure history. These figures describe MSHA sampling records and do not establish causation or personal dose.
Respirable coal dust
ⓘRespirable coal dust and silica figures cover coal facilities. Dust compliance is measured against the current 1.5 mg/m3 standard; samples predating the 2014 standard are included, so compliance rates are a coarse historical signal.
Last sampled: 2026-08-19
99%
within 1.5 mg/m3
3,373
samples
3.27
dust max (mg/m3)
3
over MSHA ECV
ⓘThe excessive concentration value (ECV) is MSHA's own per-sample enforcement threshold, which builds in measurement uncertainty; a sample over its ECV can trigger a citation. The count covers only samples MSHA assigned an ECV.
1,092 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 2,281 by the operator.
Noise
ⓘThe share counts noise samples whose measured dose exceeded the 90 dBA permissible exposure limit. It describes the sampled workplace, not what reached the miner's ear: hearing conservation programs and the hearing protection worn during the shift are recorded separately and are not reflected here.
Health sampling trend
ⓘA sample is a point in time compliance measurement, not an individual exposure history. These figures describe MSHA sampling records and do not establish causation or personal dose.
Respirable coal dust by year
ⓘRespirable coal dust and silica figures cover coal facilities. Dust compliance is measured against the current 1.5 mg/m3 standard; samples predating the 2014 standard are included, so compliance rates are a coarse historical signal.
Alden Resources Harps Creek recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2025.
Injury rate, 2025
ⓘThis rate is reportable injury cases per 100 full-time-equivalent workers per year, computed as 200,000 times cases divided by MSHA operator-reported employee-hours. Cases are injuries MSHA graded degree 01 through 07; accident-only events that hurt no one are excluded, and so are contractor injuries, whose hours do not attach to a single mine. Rates begin in 2000, when quarterly employment reporting starts, and are withheld below 20,000 hours in a year.
0.00
total case rate
0.00
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Below average. The US coal mining average was 3.19 and the all-US-mining average was 1.97 cases per 100 workers.
In Kentucky, coal mining averaged 4.08 cases per 100 workers that year.
Under 100,000 employee-hours were reported that year, so a single case moves the rate by two or more. Read the figure as approximate.
Year
total case rate
days-away
fatal
2025 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2023 *
12.16
6.08
0.000
2018 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2017 *
4.40
4.40
0.000
2016 *
4.26
4.26
0.000
2015 *
8.30
8.30
0.000
2014 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2013 *
7.23
3.61
0.000
* Fewer than 100,000 employee-hours that year; the rate is less stable.
Source: injury cases from MSHA accident and injury records; employee-hours from MSHA quarterly employment reports. Rate is cases per 100 full-time-equivalent workers, operator employees only.
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
ⓘCoal production is reported quarterly and lags the current period; the most recent quarters may be incomplete.
Year
Employees
Coal produced (tons)
2026
26
17,838
2025
20
26,996
2024
6
7,516
2023
10
16,452
2022
8
9,781
2021
2
2020
2
2019
3
2018
17
47,634
2017
20
94,089
2016
20
91,472
2015
21
100,485
2014
21
124,836
2013
22
117,576
2012
20
99,970
2011
20
103,481
2010
18
87,938
2009
19
99,546
2008
19
102,615
2007
20
100,404
2006
19
86,830
2005
20
89,427
2004
25
116,593
2003
22
129,041
2002
13
73,705
2001
18
216
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Alden Resources Harps Creek sits in Whitley County, Kentucky, where the Census mining category is 0.0% of county employment.
Local economic context
ⓘCounty figures come from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey, 5-year pooled estimates, so the 2023 vintage covers 2019 through 2023. The Census category is 'mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction', which is broader than MSHA jurisdiction and includes oil and gas workers no mine employs. These figures describe the surrounding county, not this mine, and are not a factor in any specific incident.
Whitley County, Kentucky · Population 36,755
0.0%
Mining share of county employment
$41,719
Median household income
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates.
Quarterly safety rates
ⓘCitations per million reported employee-hours. Rates begin in 2000, when MSHA's quarterly employment data starts; earlier incidents are counted but cannot be rate-adjusted. Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
Citations per million employee-hours, as reported to MSHA
The employee had just put a mantrip (buggy) on charge and had taken the cushion into the building for storage and when the EE exited the building EE stated that EE tripped over some cable and fell on shoulder and face. EE stated that EE's neck and shoulder were hurting and chose to drive self to the hospital ER.
March 9, 2023KY · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
A miner was bolting when a piece of draw rock fell between the bolts and the rib hitting EE in the back and knocking EE into the controls. EE was taken to the ER where EE was x-rayed. No broken bones were found. EE later went to a PA that diagnosed EE with a "closed fracture of the twelfth thoracic vertebra". They put EE on "restricted duty".
Employee was assisting in aligning the section belt when the tailpiece broke loose from it's anchor and struck them on the left thigh. EE worked the remainder of the shift and worked the next day. EE work part of the shift of the 22nd but went to clinic who didn't find any injuries. EE went to their family doctor on the 26th and was placed on restricted duty.
February 25, 2022KY · Coalsection foreman, bullgang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, shift bossHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Employee was helping to set the tailpiece and was lifting a stiff jack against the mine roof when EE felt the right bicep tear. EE tried to continue working but was in too much pain and had to come out of the mine. EE went to the emergency room and was treated and was referred to a orthopedic specialist. EE came back to work the next day.
2017 · 1 incident
September 21, 2017KY · Coalmaster mechanic, foreman, supervisorPOWERED HAULAGE
Employee's arm was mashed between scoop bucket and bridge. No broken bones or open wounds. Employee is taking physical therapy to the hand and arm to remove stiffness and regain movement.
2016 · 1 incident
February 16, 2016KY · Coalbull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift bossHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
F-M Coal Corp · Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects
Employee was putting belt clamps on and driving veggie in clamp and hit thumb with hammer.
2015 · 2 incidents
December 19, 2015KY · Coalscoop tram operator, load/haul/dump operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
Foreman was doing his weekly return exam and found a roof fall. 160 X 20 X 5 in the 4th panel of 001 section. This panel was stopped 3/10/08. This is about 3200 #7 from 001 section. The fall was cribbed and timbered and dangered off. MSHA was with foreman at this time.
Foreman was doing his weekly exam out by returns and found a roof fall 150' X 20' X5' long. He dangered off the area and timbered it off. This area is an old panel, 2800' from the working section.
May 18, 2011KY · Coalbull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift bossFALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Foreman found a fall 2000' outby section, it was a intersection on the intake. was cribbed up and danger off. We can go around this. Its about 2' x 25'.
EE was leaving job site after finishing shift at 5:15pm in his car. He looked away and struck a parked piece of mine equipment with his car. EE broke his nose and 2 stitches on nose.
The #1 entry, last open break intersection. Roof fall approximately 20' wide, 25' long. Was cribbed up and dangered off and called MSHA.
January 3, 2006KY · Coaldiscontinued 1/31/2014. several other codes cover scoop car operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
F-M Coal Corp · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object
The employee moving scoop had his arm hanging outside operator's deck and caught it between two scoops. He cut his forearm and had stitches. He has not missed any work.
THE ROOF FALL WAS FOUND WHEN FOREMAN WAS DOING HIS WEEKLY OUTBY CHECKS. THE FALL WAS AN INTERSECTION ABOUT 1000 FT UNDERGROUND. THEY CRIBBED, AND TIMBERED IT. WE CAN GO AROUND THIS.
2002 · 1 incident
August 19, 2002KY · Coallaborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
F-M Coal Corp · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object
EE KNOCKED PIECE OF METAL OFF ROOF BOLTER & CUT RIGHT LITTLE FINGER. WAS IN PROGRESS OF ANKORING HEADRIVE, SETTING TAILPIECE.
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