Mining Incidents

Deep Mine 37: 569 MSHA citations Coal

Clintwood, Dickenson County, VA  ·  Abandoned and Sealed
MSHA Mine ID: 4407231

Deep Mine 37 has $243K in proposed MSHA penalties and $11K outstanding across 46 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

Watch this mine

Email me when a new MSHA incident is filed at Deep Mine 37.

Fatalities
0
Total incidents
31
Years on record
2008–2018
Latest incident
Aug 2018
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2008
569
citations
142
significant & substantial
$242,746
proposed penalties
$153,988
paid to date
63% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $88,758 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2008
291
inspections on record
9,918
inspection hours
5.7
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.
569 citations across 9,918 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Imminent-danger orders
A Section 107(a) order removes miners from an area when an inspector finds an imminent danger. Each order is lifted once the condition is corrected, so this counts orders issued, not orders now in effect.
1
Section 107(a) orders
Most recent order: 2016-05-13.
On record since 2016.
Source: MSHA imminent-danger order records, updated weekly.

Deep Mine 37 has $243K in proposed MSHA penalties and $11K outstanding across 46 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.
$243K
proposed penalties
$165K
current assessed
$154K
paid to date
$11K
outstanding
558 assessments are final orders; 46 contested dockets.
Of $174K in penalties contested before the Commission, $94K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2018-08-14.
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.
25.4%
significant & substantial
3.8%
high negligence or reckless
25.4%
reasonably likely or greater
21.3%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.2% none, 14.2% low, 81.9% moderate, 3.8% high, 0.0% reckless.
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.
150 citations taken to the federal commission · 26% of citations on record
  • Settled 145 · 97%
  • Stood as issued 2 · 1%
  • Vacated or withdrawn 3 · 2%
82%
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 102 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
46%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$174K proposed, $94K 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 2015-12-01.
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.
Docket Decision Judge Year Proposed / upheld
VA 2009-360 Settlement Barbour 2010 $52K → $6K
VA 2015-0230 Settlement Feldman 2016 $11K → $7K
VA 2014-0373 Settlement Barbour 2015 $11K → $8K
VA 2014-0426 Settlement Barbour 2015 $7K → $5K
VA 2014-0213 Settlement Barbour 2015 $6K → $5K
VA 2014-133 Settlement Moran 2015 $6K → $4K
Source: FMSHRC civil penalty dockets and decisions (public record), updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Deep Mine 37 shows 99% of 869 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: 2024-08-06
99%
within 1.5 mg/m3
869
samples
2.69
dust max (mg/m3)
6
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.
463 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 406 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
  • CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR398
  • SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR (STANDARD SIDE)92
  • SCOOP CAR OPERATOR62

Silica (quartz)

Last sampled: 2017-08-16, 9 years ago
11.4
silica avg (%)
84
samples
36.6
silica max (%)
Most-sampled occupations
  • CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR45
  • ROOF BOLTER (SINGLE HEAD)13

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.

Last sampled: 2024-02-08
5%
over PEL
111
samples
Most-sampled occupations
  • SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR (STANDARD SIDE)21
  • CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR17
  • SCOOP CAR OPERATOR14
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
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.
Year within 1.5 mg/m3 samples
2024 100% 11
2017 100% 23
2016 92% 24
2015 99% 119
2014 99% 122
2013 99% 130
2012 100% 134
2011 100% 111
2010 98% 127
2009 97% 68
Silica (quartz) by year
Year silica avg (%) samples
2017 2.4 2
2016 2.3 1
2015 8.5 13
2014 5.3 7
2013 3.4 3
2012 12.0 11
2011 12.7 9
2010 16.1 15
2009 13.2 23
Noise by year
Year over PEL samples
2024 0% 5
2016 0% 10
2015 0% 16
2014 0% 13
2013 0% 13
2012 0% 15
2011 0% 15
2010 30% 10
2009 14% 14
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.

Deep Mine 37 reported liberating 758 metric tons of methane to EPA in 2018.

Methane emissions (EPA-reported)
Methane figures are what the operator reported to EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (subpart FF), collected at facility level. Only EPA facilities that resolve to a single MSHA mine record are shown, and the CO2-equivalent applies the GWP-25 factor EPA's published data uses.
758
t CH4 reported, 2018
18,939
t CO2e equivalent
Year t CH4 t CO2e
2018 758 18,939
2017 1,193 29,834
2016 1,140 28,493
2015 1,950 48,752
2014 3,584 89,595
2013 737 18,414
Source: EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, subpart FF (underground coal mines), reported annually.

Deep Mine 37 recorded 13.20 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2015.

Injury rate, 2015
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.
13.20
total case rate
1.20
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 3.76 and the all-US-mining average was 2.72 cases per 100 workers.
In Virginia, coal mining averaged 6.64 cases per 100 workers that year.
Year total case rate days-away fatal
2015 13.20 1.20 0.000
2014 3.51 2.34 0.000
2013 2.30 0.00 0.000
2012 5.37 1.34 0.000
2011 * 2.11 2.11 0.000
2010 3.33 1.67 0.000
2009 * 4.35 0.00 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.
Ownership history
  1. Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC 2008 to 2016
  2. Dynasty Mining Inc 2016 to 2016
  3. Paramont Coal Company Virginia, LLC 2016 to 2016
  4. Paramont Contura, LLC 2016 to present
  5. Central App. Coal Co. 2016 to 2017
  6. CMK Resources Inc. 2017 to 2017
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)
2024 4
2023 1
2022 0
2021 0
2020 0
2019 0
2018 6
2017 17 24,194
2016 11 17,424
2015 75 250,988
2014 80 374,114
2013 86 379,420
2012 73 215,042
2011 48 63,793
2010 55 128,209
2009 23 54,160
2008 0
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

Deep Mine 37 sits in Dickenson County, Virginia, where the Census mining category is 9.8% 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.
Dickenson County, Virginia · Population 13,920
9.8%
Mining share of county employment
$43,831
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
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2024 Q4 40 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 2,346 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 3,002 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 2,059 0 0 0.0
2023 Q4 487 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 0 0 0
2023 Q2 0 0 0
2023 Q1 0 0 0
Show 55 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2022 Q4 0 0 0
2022 Q3 0 0 0
2022 Q2 0 0 0
2022 Q1 0 0 0
2021 Q4 0 0 0
2021 Q3 0 0 0
2021 Q2 0 0 0
2021 Q1 0 0 0
2020 Q4 0 0 0
2020 Q3 0 0 0
2020 Q2 0 0 0
2020 Q1 0 0 0
2019 Q4 0 0 0
2019 Q3 0 0 0
2019 Q2 0 0 0
2019 Q1 0 0 0
2018 Q4 1,087 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 6,161 2 0 324.6
2018 Q2 2,388 4 2 1675.0
2018 Q1 2,346 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 70 1 0 14285.7
2017 Q1 18,240 23 4 1261.0
2016 Q4 9,760 6 1 614.8
2016 Q3 302 3 1 9933.8
2016 Q2 2,992 25 3 8355.6
2016 Q1 4,741 2 1 421.9
2015 Q4 24,703 20 6 809.6
2015 Q3 50,462 10 1 198.2
2015 Q2 45,828 8 2 174.6
2015 Q1 45,620 35 9 767.2
2014 Q4 42,617 33 6 774.3
2014 Q3 42,730 34 7 795.7
2014 Q2 42,646 43 8 1008.3
2014 Q1 42,950 28 11 651.9
2013 Q4 41,136 22 5 534.8
2013 Q3 44,141 13 5 294.5
2013 Q2 46,634 15 5 321.7
2013 Q1 41,992 22 2 523.9
2012 Q4 40,478 12 3 296.5
2012 Q3 36,197 23 7 635.4
2012 Q2 35,638 8 1 224.5
2012 Q1 36,762 17 5 462.4
2011 Q4 30,938 11 1 355.5
2011 Q3 20,483 8 1 390.6
2011 Q2 15,279 8 1 523.6
2011 Q1 28,053 15 4 534.7
2010 Q4 30,726 12 1 390.5
2010 Q3 30,754 13 3 422.7
2010 Q2 29,777 16 6 537.3
2010 Q1 28,769 11 3 382.4
2009 Q4 26,121 5 2 191.4
2009 Q3 14,390 5 1 347.5
2009 Q2 4,864 6 4 1233.6
2009 Q1 594 2 2 3367.0
2008 Q4 0 0 0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

31 on file

2018 · 1 incident

August 22, 2018 VA · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Paramont Contura, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Getting ready to roll belt. Had to install wooden core on shaft of belt winder. Crew lifted shaft and placed left side on top of winder. Started sliding core onto shaft. Left side of shaft fell. Employee was unable to hold weight of shaft. Employee's hands were under the shaft, pinching employee's left hand between bottom of wooden core and the belt winder.

2016 · 3 incidents

March 30, 2016 VA · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Received a hearing loss diagnosis for employee. Employee last worked for the company on 11/20/15.

March 30, 2016 VA · Coal electrician, lineman DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Received a CWP diagnosis for employee. Employee was termed on 11/4/15.

March 9, 2016 VA · Coal electrician, lineman DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Received a hearing loss diagnosis for employee. Employee was termed on 11/20/15.

2015 · 11 incidents

December 8, 2015 VA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee states while throwing a garbage bag full of old boots and trash into the back of the pickup he felt pain and a burning sensation on the top of his right shoulder. He started physical therapy on 2/5/16. *Continued to work until surgery on 4/1/2016.

December 1, 2015 VA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Received a CWP diagnosis for employee.

December 1, 2015 VA · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Received a hearing loss diagnosis for employee.

November 17, 2015 VA · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Received a CWP diagnosis for employee. No % disability at this time.

August 28, 2015 VA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Struck against stationary object

Employee was on the way outside operating a Mac 3D on the travel way almost at #5 belt when he heard a noise. Employee looked backwards while operating the mac 3D to see what the noise was when he caught his neck on a cable tied to the mine roof. Employee stated his neck was sore and he heard it pop. He started physical therapy on 9/14/15.

August 21, 2015 VA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Received a CWP diagnosis for employee. No % disability at this time.

August 18, 2015 VA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee states while bolting top, a piece of draw rock fell out striking him on the left forearm. The starter drill steel stayed in the top and he was getting ready to add drive steel when the starter steel fell out. While reaching to catch the steel, draw rock fell from top striking him resulting in 13 stitches.

July 15, 2015 VA · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Received a hearing loss diagnosis for employee. No % disability at this time.

July 7, 2015 VA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Received a CWP diagnosis for employee. No % disability at this time.

May 5, 2015 VA · Coal electrician, lineman DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Received a CWP claim for EE.

March 20, 2015 VA · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Received a CWP claim for employee.

2014 · 4 incidents

November 12, 2014 VA · Coal safety representative DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Received a CWP diagnosis for employee. He last worked on 2/28/2014 when he retired.

May 15, 2014 VA · Coal utility man, errand boy, service truck operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

While putting pack of glue into tray on bolter employee pulled or strained something in his lower back. He stated he had pain in his lower back and left leg.

March 5, 2014 VA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was unloading belt structure in break when he stepped backward and stumbled. He stated he fell flat down on his tail bone resulting in lower back pain.

2013 · 2 incidents

October 1, 2013 VA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Received a CWP claim for employee on 10/1/2013.

April 16, 2013 VA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was installing a roof bolt and reached up to turn plate when he inadvertently hit his pressure lever and pinched the end of his finger between the roof plate and roof. Resulted in 4 stitches.

2012 · 4 incidents

September 26, 2012 VA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Received a CWP diagnosis for employee on 9/26/2012.

September 24, 2012 VA · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Received a CWP diagnosis for on 9/24/2012.

August 27, 2012 VA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) STRIKING OR BUMPING
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Struck against stationary object

Employee was bent over walking through a cross cut. He struck a rock shield hanging down from the top resulting in 12 stitches to his upper back area.

August 21, 2012 VA · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Bates Contractor was in the process of advancing belt and power when he strained his back while pulling cables or handling materials.

2011 · 1 incident

December 20, 2011 VA · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was setting bits on miner when he turned his head and felt a sharp pain that went down his left shoulder causing his left arm to go numb. He returned to his regular duties until 2/3/2012 when he had surgery on his shoulder.

2010 · 2 incidents

July 24, 2010 VA · Coal belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was assisting in lifting the rub rail from the side of a continuous miner when he felt pain in his right elbow. (Employee continued to work and become Lost time on 8/23/2010 after having surgery on his elbow.)

July 7, 2010 VA · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee has filed for coal miners pneumoconiosis (black lung). We received notice on 07/07/2010. Employee continues to work at present time.

2009 · 2 incidents

November 7, 2009 VA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Struck by flying object

Employee was bolting top when the wrench to install bolt became stuck. He hit it with a hammer and a small piece of metal flew off and became lodged in his cheek. Employee decided to have it removed by a physician on 11/25/09.

April 22, 2009 VA · Coal carpenter MACHINERY
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Backhoe bucket struck employee in his left side causing him to fall. Operator did not see employee until the bucket struck him. Employee was taken to hospital for treatment and x-ray of ribs and head. He was discharged with abrasion to back of head.

2008 · 1 incident

September 26, 2008 VA · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Paramont Coal Company Virginia LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cleaning up his work area when he threw a piece of scrap metal in the back of his truck. The metal hit a ladder bracket and ricocheted back into his left eye causing an abrasion.