Mining Incidents

Charger Mine East Coal

Petersburg, Pike County, IN  ·  NonProducing
MSHA Mine ID: 1201616

Charger Mine East has $13K in proposed MSHA penalties and $731 outstanding across 2 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
1
Total incidents
33
Years on record
1983–2023
Latest incident
Mar 2023
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2001
55
citations
22
significant & substantial
$13,363
proposed penalties
$12,632
paid to date
95% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $731 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
99
inspections on record
1,563
inspection hours
3.5
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.
55 citations across 1,563 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Charger Mine East has $13K in proposed MSHA penalties and $731 outstanding across 2 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.
$13K
proposed penalties
$13K
current assessed
$13K
paid to date
$731
outstanding
53 assessments are final orders; 2 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2024-11-14.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Charger Mine East shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.23 mg/m3 (98% compliant) across 121 samples.

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.
0.23
dust avg (mg/m3)
1.70
dust max (mg/m3)
98%
within 1.5 mg/m3
121
samples
Most recent sample: 2025-01-28.
Silica (quartz)
6.2
silica avg (%)
13.6
silica max (%)
11
samples
Most recent sample: 2024-05-22.
Noise
9%
over PEL
43
samples
Most recent sample: 2025-01-28.
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
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
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2025 Q4 755 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 1,726 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 3,035 0 0 0.0
2025 Q1 4,750 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 8,269 1 1 120.9
2024 Q3 14,654 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 15,065 1 1 66.4
2024 Q1 10,651 4 3 375.6
Show 96 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 11,874 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 14,205 0 0 0.0
2023 Q2 14,320 8 5 558.7
2023 Q1 14,030 3 2 213.8
2022 Q4 12,017 4 2 332.9
2022 Q3 12,677 1 1 78.9
2022 Q2 4,158 1 0 240.5
2022 Q1 2,550 0 0 0.0
2021 Q4 983 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 283 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 2,473 0 0 0.0
2021 Q1 2,370 0 0 0.0
2020 Q4 441 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 215 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 854 0 0 0.0
2020 Q1 25,743 0 0 0.0
2019 Q4 34,961 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 19,681 4 0 203.2
2019 Q2 7,623 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 340 0 0 0.0
2018 Q4 641 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 65 0 0 0.0
2018 Q2 65 0 0 0.0
2018 Q1 65 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 12 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 129 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 94 0 0 0.0
2017 Q1 810 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 61 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 72 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 479 0 0 0.0
2016 Q1 489 1 0 2045.0
2015 Q4 98 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 855 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 1,081 0 0 0.0
2015 Q1 2,235 1 0 447.4
2014 Q4 1,852 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 1,754 1 1 570.1
2014 Q2 826 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 4,683 0 0 0.0
2013 Q4 10,414 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 8,331 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 3,991 1 0 250.6
2013 Q1 3,749 1 0 266.7
2012 Q4 5,628 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 3,600 0 0 0.0
2012 Q2 4,041 0 0 0.0
2012 Q1 2,611 0 0 0.0
2011 Q4 3,958 1 1 252.7
2011 Q3 3,714 0 0 0.0
2011 Q2 1,704 2 1 1173.7
2011 Q1 1,397 1 1 715.8
2010 Q4 2,274 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 1,290 2 1 1550.4
2010 Q2 413 0 0 0.0
2010 Q1 73 1 0 13698.6
2009 Q4 720 0 0 0.0
2009 Q3 2,599 1 0 384.8
2009 Q2 0 0 0
2009 Q1 0 0 0
2008 Q4 0 0 0
2008 Q3 0 0 0
2008 Q2 0 0 0
2008 Q1 0 0 0
2007 Q4 0 0 0
2007 Q3 0 0 0
2007 Q2 0 0 0
2007 Q1 0 0 0
2006 Q4 0 0 0
2006 Q3 0 0 0
2006 Q2 0 0 0
2006 Q1 0 0 0
2005 Q4 0 0 0
2005 Q3 0 1 0
2005 Q2 0 0 0
2005 Q1 0 0 0
2004 Q4 0 0 0
2004 Q3 0 0 0
2004 Q2 0 0 0
2004 Q1 0 1 0
2003 Q4 0 0 0
2003 Q3 0 0 0
2003 Q2 0 0 0
2003 Q1 0 0 0
2002 Q4 0 0 0
2002 Q3 0 0 0
2002 Q2 1,356 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 6,923 0 0 0.0
2001 Q4 10,791 5 0 463.3
2001 Q3 13,983 0 0 0.0
2001 Q2 13,291 5 1 376.2
2001 Q1 12,579 3 1 238.5
2000 Q4 8,702 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 7,723 0 0 0.0
2000 Q2 9,840 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 11,188 0 0 0.0

Fatalities at this mine

1 recorded
February 24, 1999 IN · Coal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey Fatality · FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Struck by falling object

OPERATOR WAS PREPARING TO MARKING HIGHWALL, TO MARK EDGE OF SHOT. WHEN SEVERAL LARGE PIECES OF ROCK FELL FROM THE HIGHWALL STRIKING HIM AND COVERING HIS BODY. THIS RESULTED IN HIS DEATH.

Reportable incidents

32 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2023 · 2 incidents

March 9, 2023 IN · Coal IMPOUNDMENT
Responsible Energy Operations · Accident type, without injuries

Approx 260ft of spoil had developed a crack and slipped causing the spoil to move towards the pit.

January 9, 2023 IN · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Responsible Energy Operations · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was assisting contractor replace windshield in 1900 shovel. IE stepped to grab a tool and strained their left knee. IE continued to work thinking the pain would go away, Pain increased IE went to ER after work.

2002 · 1 incident

February 3, 2002 IN · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

EE WAS STANDING ON THE WATER PUMP FRAME. HE HAD COVERALLS ON THE ALT, FAN PULLEY WAS RUBBING HIS LEG AND HE DIDN'T KNOW IT. THE HEAT BUILT UP EMOUGHT TO BLISTER HIS LEG.

2001 · 2 incidents

December 3, 2001 IN · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Fall from ladders

EMPLOYEE WAS COMING DOWN THE LADDER ON THE EUCLID END DUMP. THE LADDER BROKE CAUSING HIM TO FALLTO THE GROUND ABOUT 4' HE DISLOCATED HIS ANKLE.

November 9, 2001 IN · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Fall from machine

LABORER WAS FUELING 988 LOADER AND WAS CLIMBING DOWN THE LADDER. HE MISSED THE TOP STEP FALLING TO THE GROUND, HURTING HIS BACK.

1999 · 4 incidents

June 21, 1999 IN · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WERE PUTTING UP BELLY PAN ON 637 SCRAPER HAD 1 BOLT STARTED WERE LINING HE BOLT HAULING WITH PRYBAR. THE BELLY PAN FELL AND THE PRYBAR HITT EE IN THE RIGHT LEG REQUIRING 4 STITCHES. THE THREAD S WERE STRIPPED IN THE BOLTHOLE.

June 10, 1999 IN · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Fall from machine

EE WAS FUELING THE HIGHWALL, DRILL STEPPED OFF THE DRILL AND TWISTED HIS ANKLE. HE SAID HE TWISTED HIS ANKLE EARLIER IN THE DAY ON A ROCK WALKING TO A WATER PUMP.

May 16, 1999 IN · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CLIMBING DOWN FROM THE FUEL TRUCK WHEN HE LOST HIS BALANCE. HE HAD THE FUEL NOZZEL IN HIS HAND AND HIT HIMSELF IN THE MOUTH CHIPPING A TOOTH.

May 5, 1999 IN · Coal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CLIMBING UP SHOVEL LADDER, WHEN SOMTHING IN HIS BACK POPPED. LOWER BACK PAIN.

1998 · 4 incidents

November 16, 1998 IN · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Fall from machine

EE WAS FUELING UP FUEL TRUCK. STEPPED ON BOTTOM STEP OF LADDER ON TRUCK. FOOT SLIPPED ON BOTTOM STEP AND WHEN HIT GROUND TWISTED RT FOOT. TWISTED RT ANKLE, PULLED TENDONS IN ANKLE.

September 14, 1998 IN · Coal coal strip operator POWERED HAULAGE
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

EE SAID THAT THE SEAT IN THE TRUCK WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THIS CAUSED HIM TO STRAIN HIS BACK.WAS PUT ON LIMITED DUTY

August 14, 1998 IN · Coal welder (shop) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING ON STACKER IN ORDER TO MAKE REPAIRS STEPPED BACK AND DOWN WITH RIGHT FOOT AS LEFT TOE BECAME LODGED UNDER THE STACKER, LEFT FOOT WAS HYPER-EXTENDED.

April 27, 1998 IN · Coal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CLIMBING ON TO SHOVEL, GRABBED HANDRAIL AND FELT SOMETHING IN SHOULDER POP. RIGHT SHOULDER ROTARY CUFF

1997 · 2 incidents

October 23, 1997 IN · Coal safety director SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

AT SOLAR SOURCES MINE. HE WAS CLIDMBING UP ON DOZER TO TALK TO OPERATOR WHEN HE LOST HIS BALANCE. HE GRABBED THE BATTERY BOX TO STOP HIS FALL. WHEN HE GRABBED THE BOX, THE LID WAS OPEN AND FEL L SHUT ON HIS FINGER. HE CONTINUED FALLING AND HIS FINGER WAS PULLED OUT FROM THE FORCE OF THE FALL, RESULTING IN A FRACTURED RT THUMB.

May 15, 1997 IN · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Struck by flying object

MECHANIC WAS CUTTING ONT EH HUB OOF A WHEEL WHICH WAS REMOVED OFF A FRONT END LOADER. HE FAILED TO DEFLATE THE TIRE. HEAT FROM THE CUTTING PROCESS THEN EXPANDED THE AIR INSIDE HTE TIRE CAUSI NG THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE TO FAIL.

1996 · 1 incident

April 5, 1996 IN · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING AN ALIGNMENT PIN ON TRACK'S ON A BULLDOZER, MISSED END OF PIN AND HIT HIS HAND AN INDEX FINGER WITH SLEDGE HAMMER.

1995 · 2 incidents

April 13, 1995 IN · Coal drill operator OTHER
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE WAS GETTING OUT OF CAB ON DRILL AND HAD OPENED THE DOOR WHEN A STRONG GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE DOOR AND SLAMMED IT SHUT ON HIS FINGERS.

January 23, 1995 IN · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Fall from machine

WHEN DUMPING DIESEL FUEL INTO TRAILER SLIPPED OFF TIRES OF THE TRUCK, AND FELL BACKWARD, AND BROKE RIGHT ARM.

1993 · 1 incident

October 21, 1993 IN · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

EMPLOYEE WAS USING CUTTING TORCH TO BURN OUT A BEARING ONT HE BUCKET OF BACKHOE. AS THE BEARING BURNED THROUGH SOME HOT GREASE ENTRAPPED BEHIND IT SHOT OUT INTO THE EMPLOYEE'S FACE. HE WAS B URNED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF FACE AND FOREHEAD. 1ST & 2ND DEGREE BURNS.

1992 · 3 incidents

September 8, 1992 IN · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Fall from machine

MECHANIC WAS REPAIRING BUCKET ON LOADER WHEN HE STEPPED OUT OF THE BUCKET HIS ANKLE TWISTED.

June 11, 1992 IN · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

UNLOADING END BITS FOR A DOZER OUT OF PICKUP TRUCK THE END BIT DROPPED OFF EDGE OF PALLET AND CAUGHT EMPLOYEES FINGER BETWEEN BIT AND ANOTHER BIT.

1991 · 4 incidents

November 28, 1991 IN · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS FILLING BATTERY WITH WATER WHEN THE LID OF BATTERY BOX FELL AND STRUCK EMPLOYEE ACROSS HIS RIGHT ARM.

September 11, 1991 IN · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE RAN OFF SIDE OF ROADWAY. SCRAPER HIT A HOLE AND CAME TO A STOP.

July 16, 1991 IN · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MECHANIC WAS USING AN AIR IMPACT WRENCH WHEN THE ROLLED PIN FLEW OUT OF THE SOCKET STRIKING HIM IN THE PALM OF HIS RIGHT HAND RESULTING APPROX ONE INCH LACERATION.

1990 · 1 incident

June 5, 1990 IN · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

EMPLOYEE WAS HAULING COAL FROM PIT AREA TO COAL BREAKER. THE BREAKER CLOGGED UP AND THE EMPLOYEE LEFT THE OPERATORS CAB TO ASSIST THE COAL BREAKER OPERATOR. HE SLIPPED ON CATWALK AND FELL TO THE GROUND LANDING ON HIS BACK.

1989 · 3 incidents

November 13, 1989 IN · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator MACHINERY
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Struck by falling object

EMPL WAS CLEANING COAL FROM UNDER COAL BREAKER. LUMP OF COAL FELL OFF TOP OF BREAKER STRIKING EMPL ON SHOULDER.

July 10, 1989 IN · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPL WAS SETTING WATER PUMP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOWER JACK STANDS THE PUMP BEING HEAVIER ON THE REAR TIPPED UP STRIKING EMPL ACROSS LOWER PART OF R ARM

January 14, 1989 IN · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE SLIPPED ON ICY FENDER OF FRONT END LOADER FELL AGAINST A HYDRAULIC CYLINDER STRIKING HIS LEFT CHEST AREA RESULTING IN BADLY BRUISED MUCSLES

1988 · 1 incident

January 25, 1988 IN · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Struck by falling object

VICTIM WAS STAN8ING ON PLATFORM ATTEMPTING TO UNCLOG COAL HOPPER ON BREAKER A TRUCK DUMPED A LOAD INTO THE TRUCK HOPPER ABOVE VICTIM SOME COAL OVERSHOT HOPPER & FELL STRIKING VICTIM ON ARM & HEAD THE HEAD W5S LACERATED WHICH REQUIRED SUTURING OF THE WOUND

1983 · 1 incident

September 6, 1983 IN · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Solar Sources Mining LLC · Fall from machine

CLIMBING LADDER TO CAB OF TRUCK PREPARING TO START SHIFT.CARRIED LUNCH IN ONE HAND SO ONLY HAD ONE FREE HAND TO CLIMB UP WITH.HAND SLIPPED OFF HAND RAIL FELL 5\ LANDING ON LEFT FOOT.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Charger Mine East

A dated report covering the 26-year penalty trail, line-item violation pattern, contest and docket posture, rate-normalized peer benchmark, and full fatality history. Delivered as a PDF with the underlying data as CSV.