Mining Incidents

Friendsville Mine Coal

Rt. 1, Mt. Carmel, Wabash County, IL  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 1103064

Friendsville Mine has $96K in proposed MSHA penalties and $11K outstanding across 4 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
28
Years on record
2003–2026
Latest incident
Jan 2026
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2003
210
citations
69
significant & substantial
$96,090
proposed penalties
$82,017
paid to date
85% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $14,073 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
116
inspections on record
3,799
inspection hours
5.5
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.
210 citations across 3,799 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Friendsville Mine has $96K in proposed MSHA penalties and $11K outstanding across 4 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.
$96K
proposed penalties
$93K
current assessed
$82K
paid to date
$11K
outstanding
203 assessments are final orders; 4 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-08-28.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Friendsville Mine shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.13 mg/m3 (100% compliant) across 357 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.
0.13
dust avg (mg/m3)
1.76
dust max (mg/m3)
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
357
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-06-16.
Silica (quartz)
7.7
silica avg (%)
21.9
silica max (%)
22
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-06-09.
Noise
5%
over PEL
97
samples
Most recent sample: 2025-10-16.
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 21,302 3 1 140.8
2025 Q3 21,767 1 0 45.9
2025 Q2 18,792 4 2 212.9
2025 Q1 12,549 5 3 398.4
2024 Q4 9,893 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 9,984 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 13,113 2 1 152.5
2024 Q1 14,000 2 0 142.9
Show 86 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 15,031 11 8 731.8
2023 Q3 19,505 10 8 512.7
2023 Q2 21,519 3 2 139.4
2023 Q1 21,943 1 0 45.6
2022 Q4 23,529 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 20,477 0 0 0.0
2022 Q2 7,386 13 4 1760.1
2022 Q1 14,704 0 0 0.0
2021 Q4 2,652 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 370 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 216 0 0 0.0
2021 Q1 0 1 1
2020 Q4 5,081 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 40,551 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 45,126 7 3 155.1
2020 Q1 52,253 9 2 172.2
2019 Q4 73,420 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 66,919 6 1 89.7
2019 Q2 63,213 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 60,519 0 0 0.0
2018 Q4 55,416 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 53,390 23 9 430.8
2018 Q2 50,224 2 1 39.8
2018 Q1 54,565 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 51,431 1 0 19.4
2017 Q3 43,558 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 35,235 1 0 28.4
2017 Q1 30,275 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 15,210 2 0 131.5
2016 Q3 2,269 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 6,517 0 0 0.0
2016 Q1 49,652 0 0 0.0
2015 Q4 50,620 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 29,848 7 1 234.5
2015 Q2 44,990 0 0 0.0
2015 Q1 44,758 0 0 0.0
2014 Q4 42,089 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 41,255 4 0 97.0
2014 Q2 34,741 1 1 28.8
2014 Q1 39,134 1 1 25.6
2013 Q4 45,412 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 45,168 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 45,279 5 0 110.4
2013 Q1 58,358 2 2 34.3
2012 Q4 61,242 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 56,920 3 3 52.7
2012 Q2 61,252 0 0 0.0
2012 Q1 60,212 4 1 66.4
2011 Q4 57,594 0 0 0.0
2011 Q3 70,742 1 0 14.1
2011 Q2 62,794 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 46,446 3 0 64.6
2010 Q4 48,312 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 45,697 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 38,267 0 0 0.0
2010 Q1 34,582 0 0 0.0
2009 Q4 39,823 2 1 50.2
2009 Q3 34,184 3 2 87.8
2009 Q2 34,318 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 35,306 0 0 0.0
2008 Q4 39,582 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 38,038 2 0 52.6
2008 Q2 37,538 2 0 53.3
2008 Q1 37,823 0 0 0.0
2007 Q4 38,755 5 1 129.0
2007 Q3 36,262 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 36,983 0 0 0.0
2007 Q1 38,150 23 3 602.9
2006 Q4 35,315 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 30,315 3 0 99.0
2006 Q2 25,608 0 0 0.0
2006 Q1 15,988 6 1 375.3
2005 Q4 3,419 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 526 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 195 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 3,404 0 0 0.0
2004 Q4 5,290 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 4,746 3 1 632.1
2004 Q2 4,656 2 0 429.6
2004 Q1 4,497 0 0 0.0
2003 Q4 22,170 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 25,411 15 1 590.3
2003 Q2 20,697 1 0 48.3
2003 Q1 18,888 5 4 264.7
2002 Q4 10,097 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 215 0 0 0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

28 on file

2026 · 1 incident

January 27, 2026 IL · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Responsible Energy Operations · Fall from machine

An employee was dismounting a Cat D7 dozer. Their foot slipped, causing them to strike their left leg on the track and push arm, resulting in a tear of the ACL and MCL.

2025 · 3 incidents

September 8, 2025 IL · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Responsible Energy Operations · Struck against a moving object

While operating a Caterpillar D-10 bulldozer during road maintenance tasks involving rock patching on a haul road, an employee sustained back strain after inadvertently backing over a rock.

June 6, 2025 IL · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Responsible Energy Operations · Fall onto or against objects

While dismounting a D-11 the employee's foot slipped causing them to strike a knee on the step of the tilt cylinder on the push arm, after dismounting the employee checked their knee to find it was lacerated. Employee was taken to the hospital and received 8 sutures.

February 26, 2025 IL · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Responsible Energy Operations · Fall from machine

Haul truck was waiting to be loaded when a hyd hose blew causing fire. Miner jumped from ladder while exiting haul truck causing injury to left leg and right wrist.

2022 · 1 incident

April 27, 2022 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Responsible Energy Operations · Fall from machine

Employee was performing repairs to 988B Loader. According to the employee, at just before 12:00 pm, employee was attempting to reposition the fan on the engine. When the employee stepped back, there was no surface area and the employee fell approximately 5 feet to the ground.

2021 · 1 incident

October 2, 2021 IL · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

SETTING UP CRANE WEAR PADS ON OUTRIGGER SMASHED RIGHT THUMB FINGER.

2020 · 6 incidents

September 24, 2020 IL · Coal supply man, nipper SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was standing in the bed of the flatbed supply truck. While bending over to tighten a wratchet strap EE slipped and fell in the bed of the truck. While falling EE tried to use left arm to embrace self causing injury to EE's left shoulder.

June 5, 2020 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Fall from machine

The mechanic was dismounting the bottom step of the Hitachi 1900 shovel. When EE slipped and fell to the ground

April 18, 2020 IL · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Struck against stationary object

Employee lacerated left thumb while changing out a cab filter on the Komatsu #1500 haul truck. The framing of the cab filter has thin metal edges lacerating thumb.

March 19, 2020 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was working walking through heavy sticky mud when a foot got stuck. Employee twisted upper body to pull foot out and felt a strain in knee.

January 6, 2020 IL · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Fall from machine

Employee was attempting to dismount the Cat 785D haul truck. When employee's foot slipped off the bottom step and fell 2' to the ground.

2019 · 2 incidents

August 31, 2019 IL · Coal fine coal plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

IE claims they bent down to pick up a small piece of grating stuck in mud. They felt a pop in their arm. IE was seen by doctor on 9/10/19 after it was reported to safety department, and was diagnosed with a bicep tear.

June 22, 2019 IL · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While dismounting the fuel truck, IE stepped down and rolled EE's ankle, resulting in a sprain. IE saw a company doctor on 06/26/2019 and was placed on restricted duty until follow up appointment.

2018 · 3 incidents

October 16, 2018 IL · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Fall onto or against objects

IE was dismounting from Co# 10-12 D11 dozer when they slipped and fell landing on the tracks of the dozer. EE was taken to local emergency room, follow up visit on the 17th with company physician indicated acute nondisplaced fracture of the L4 vertebrae.

June 11, 2018 IL · Coal FIRE
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Fire on Company #10-11 D11 R dozer was reported by the operator to the Pit supervisor @ 8:35 p.m. fire fighting efforts by the company and local fire department was unsuccessful, MSHA was notified at 8:50 p.m. when it was observed that the fire would not be extinguished within the 30 minute window.

March 27, 2018 IL · Coal driller, highwall operator, highwall drill operator EXPLOSIVES AND BREAKING AGENTS
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Struck by flying object

IE was supervising a planned explosive detonation. When the shot was detonated, a stray piece of rock came through the door of the drill, which had been left open, striking the IE in the back of the legs. This resulted in a distal fracture of the left fibula, and an occult fracture of the right 3rd metatarsal.

2014 · 2 incidents

May 7, 2014 IL · Coal clerk, timekeeper, office worker, director of sales ALL OTHER OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

IE states that they were bitten by a spider or insect while at work.

January 23, 2014 IL · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE exited EE trailer when he slipped on a patch of ice on the ground. He landed on his left side. X-rays of shoulder negative, placed on restrictions w/1st follow up to be on 1/24/14. RTW on 24th and L hand was swollen, X-ray was negative. Placed on restrictions: light finger work only with L hand and no operating company vehicles. Follow up apt 1/31. Reported due to restrictions.

2013 · 1 incident

January 12, 2013 IL · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Two EEs lowered a hydraulically driven pump into a tank. The pump was suspended from a 2 ton crane mounted on the back of a welding truck & the pump's discharge hose was tethered to a fork truck. EE was on top of the tank to manage the position of the pump. The static thickener rake pulled the pump discharge hose which caused the crane boom to spring & hit EE's leg.

2012 · 2 incidents

November 14, 2012 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was assembling the breaker gear box. The puller bar was supporting two 3' threaded rods, which were attached to the drive coupler for the gear box. EE was in process of removing the bolts from the bottom of the treaded rod, the puller bar shifted causing it to slip out of the nylon strap, falling approx 2' striking EE's left hand. Sutures to R little finger/restrictions.

August 16, 2012 IL · Coal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey ELECTRICAL
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Contact with electrical current

A rain storm with lightning moved over the mine. The foreman with two miners began dragging pump hose with pickup trucks to the pump site to remove the water. They had the wrong end of the hose tied to the truck. EE got out to unchain the hose. He was holding the chain in his hand when he was shocked by stray current from a nearby lightning strike.

2011 · 1 incident

July 11, 2011 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE stated he was in the process of turning the fire hydrant on to fill the steam cleaner. As he was walking next to the hydrant he tripped over the main shut off valve pipe that extended 6" above ground level He fell on his left shoulder. The injury became reportable on 8/1 when he was issued a prescription medication and released to work with restrictions.

2010 · 2 incidents

November 6, 2010 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Struck against stationary object

EE changed the fuel filter on the dozer. He practiced proper dismounting procedures by using 3 points of contact. However, as he took his final step to the ground, his right foot contacted a piece of shale. (Approximate size: 4"x6"x4" thick). This caused his right foot to roll laterally. X-rays determined he had a very minute chip in the bone on the right foot.

February 12, 2010 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Two employees were in the process of replacing refuse flume screen panels. They lowered the panel (2' x 4', 150 lbs) to the deck by hand. At this point, the middle and ring finger of his left hand were caught between the deck and the screen panel. He was referred to an orthopedic surgeon where it was determined he had incurred fractures to the tip of both fingers.

2008 · 1 incident

November 10, 2008 IL · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was dismounting anfo truck when he stepped on uneven ground causing a twisting motion to his right ankle. This resulted in a sprain. He returned to work with restrictions. Limit standing/walking to 15 min per hour 2 hours per chift.

2006 · 1 incident

June 26, 2006 IL · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Vigo Coal Operating Company LLC · Struck against a moving object

The employee was attempting to turn 773 cat. water truck around on wet haul road. As he turned the truck skipped on wet road. When the truck contacted a dry section of the road it caused the water in the truck to shift and caused the truck to turn over on his left side. He was wearing a seat belt which prevented a more serious injury.

2003 · 1 incident

November 26, 2003 IL · Coal truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vigo Coal Company Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE ALLEGES HE SLIPPED ON THE BOTTOM STEP OF #2664 VOLVO TRUCK WHILE MOUNTING TO BEGIN HIS SHIFT. HE COMPLAINED OF PAIN IN THE RT. FOOT & WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A SPRAIN. HE WAS RELEASED TO WORK WITH RESTRICTIONS.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Friendsville Mine

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.