Mining Incidents

Laurel Fork Mine Coal

Ramaco Resources, LLC · Underground
Controlled by Ramaco Resources Inc
Vallscreek, Mcdowell County, WV  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 4609084

Laurel Fork Mine has $1.3M in proposed MSHA penalties and $137K outstanding across 45 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
42
Years on record
2005–2026
Latest incident
Jun 2026
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2005
1,119
citations
269
significant & substantial
$1,270,172
proposed penalties
$777,650
paid to date
61% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $492,522 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2005
242
inspections on record
7,281
inspection hours
15.4
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.
1,119 citations across 7,281 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Laurel Fork Mine has $1.3M in proposed MSHA penalties and $137K outstanding across 45 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.
$1.3M
proposed penalties
$915K
current assessed
$778K
paid to date
$137K
outstanding
979 assessments are final orders; 45 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-05-06.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Laurel Fork Mine shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.48 mg/m3 (98% compliant) across 1,360 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.
0.48
dust avg (mg/m3)
5.28
dust max (mg/m3)
98%
within 1.5 mg/m3
1,360
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-06-26.
Silica (quartz)
4.3
silica avg (%)
31.7
silica max (%)
102
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-06-10.
Noise
14%
over PEL
63
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-06-09.
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 2,739 1 0 365.1
2025 Q3 24,097 70 16 2904.9
2025 Q2 37,859 80 16 2113.1
2025 Q1 36,602 100 21 2732.1
2024 Q4 34,421 67 17 1946.5
2024 Q3 36,314 31 8 853.7
2024 Q2 38,767 44 10 1135.0
2024 Q1 33,327 66 10 1980.4
Show 67 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 28,337 52 11 1835.1
2023 Q3 33,786 60 10 1775.9
2023 Q2 39,223 63 11 1606.2
2023 Q1 40,047 49 10 1223.6
2022 Q4 33,017 24 6 726.9
2022 Q3 30,580 23 4 752.1
2022 Q2 26,290 18 4 684.7
2022 Q1 8,128 13 0 1599.4
2021 Q4 216 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 1,152 2 1 1736.1
2021 Q2 1,024 0 0 0.0
2021 Q1 1,008 1 0 992.1
2020 Q4 992 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 1,024 1 0 976.6
2020 Q2 1,024 1 0 976.6
2020 Q1 1,328 0 0 0.0
2019 Q4 2,800 3 1 1071.4
2019 Q3 2,864 9 2 3142.5
2019 Q2 2,872 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 2,016 0 0 0.0
2018 Q4 1,984 2 0 1008.1
2018 Q3 2,016 0 0 0.0
2018 Q2 2,048 0 0 0.0
2018 Q1 2,048 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 488 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 504 1 0 1984.1
2017 Q2 512 5 0 9765.6
2017 Q1 392 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 240 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 512 1 0 1953.1
2016 Q2 512 1 0 1953.1
2015 Q4 0 1 0
2015 Q3 0 1 0
2015 Q2 0 1 0
2015 Q1 0 1 0
2014 Q4 0 1 0
2014 Q3 0 0 0
2014 Q2 0 1 1
2014 Q1 0 0 0
2013 Q4 0 0 0
2013 Q3 0 1 0
2013 Q2 0 7 2
2012 Q1 1,577 12 1 7609.4
2011 Q4 630 10 1 15873.0
2011 Q3 623 0 0 0.0
2011 Q2 623 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 664 0 0 0.0
2010 Q4 946 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 1,052 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 935 0 0 0.0
2010 Q1 1,127 0 0 0.0
2009 Q4 925 0 0 0.0
2009 Q3 594 0 0 0.0
2009 Q2 585 1 0 1709.4
2009 Q1 378 17 12 44973.5
2008 Q4 12,213 25 13 2047.0
2008 Q3 12,247 10 9 816.5
2008 Q2 8,706 6 2 689.2
2008 Q1 4,829 6 1 1242.5
2007 Q4 4,309 10 6 2320.7
2007 Q3 8,857 42 22 4742.0
2007 Q2 8,478 7 4 825.7
2007 Q1 5,374 4 2 744.3
2006 Q3 4,099 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 13,712 8 4 583.4
2006 Q1 9,651 1 0 103.6
2005 Q4 0 0 0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

42 on file

2026 · 4 incidents

June 16, 2026 WV · Coal belt vulcanizer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While repairing a splice on the #2 belt, the belt clamp unexpectedly came loose and struck the employee in the left forearm, resulting in a laceration.

June 4, 2026 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was working in the No. 5 Right Entry when EE tripped over a lump of coal and fell, causing EE's right hand to flex during the fall. The employee continued working following the incident until EE was removed from duty by a physician on 6/10/26 for a fracture.

May 9, 2026 WV · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A non-injury roof fall occurred in the #5 entry on the 2nd East Mains at spad #258. The fall was approximately 80 feet long, 20 feet wide and up to 50 inches thick.

May 4, 2026 WV · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

The employee was lifting a rub rail into position on a continuous mining machine when EE experienced pain in EE's groin area. The employee continued working following the incident and remained at work until being removed from duty by a physician on 6/1/2026.

2025 · 5 incidents

August 2, 2025 WV · Coal dispatcher HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

On 8/2/25 employee picked up a small air compressor and felt a pain in groin/stomach area. Employee continued to work and sought medical treatment on 8/8/25 and diagnosed with a potential hernia. EE continues to work and has fulfilled all their duties as a dispatcher. The employee is scheduled to see a specialist for complete diagnosis and applicable treatment.

July 19, 2025 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

On 7/19/25 the injured employee twisted EE's knee while rising to EE's feet from a kneeled position but finished EE's shift. Employee missed work on 7/21/25 to be examined by a physician and returned to work on 7/22/25 with no restrictions and continued to work until 7/25/25, when EE again missed work to be evaluated by a physician. The employee received a full release for 7/28/25.

June 6, 2025 WV · Coal master mechanic, foreman, supervisor FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Struck by rolling or sliding object

Employee was in the #4 entry when a coal rib gave loose striking them on the right ankle. Employee finished the shift and sought medical attention on 6/12/25 for a fracture ankle.

April 14, 2025 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman POWERED HAULAGE
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

The employee's left foot was positioned near the edge of the scoop bucket as it was being lowered to the ground, resulting in the bucket making contact with their foot.

February 19, 2025 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

While working to repair dust vacuum hose on the roof bolting machine the drill boom was inadvertently raised pinching the injured employee's fingers between the top of the drill pot and the mine roof resulting in lacerations requiring stitches to two fingers.

2024 · 7 incidents

November 11, 2024 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Making a belt splice and got hit with a hammer on the pinky.

October 29, 2024 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was in the #2 entry when a piece of loose coal rib came loose and struck EE in the upper back. Injury was not the result of a training or compliance issue.

October 26, 2024 WV · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator MACHINERY
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Struck by flying object

Employee was struck by A piece of rock came that from the CM ripper head hitting the employee above the ear.

May 16, 2024 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was swinging the drill station over to change a piece of drill steel out and mashed the web of EE's hand between the canopy and the drill steel hanging down out of the hole.

March 20, 2024 WV · Coal master mechanic, foreman, supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was in the process of repairing a damaged plastic water line and got a finger caught between the water line and a belt chain resulting in a laceration.

2023 · 3 incidents

November 27, 2023 WV · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a slate bar to remove a rock lodged in the #7 drive rock box. As EE was prying on the bar, it slipped striking the employee on the arm resulting in a laceration. Belts were not running at time of incident.

September 16, 2023 WV · Coal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Fall onto or against objects

On 9-16-2023, the employee slipped in the battery barn and during the process of catching self employee pulled a shoulder. Employee sought medical attention but was released to work until 3-21-2024. On this date the employee received new restrictions from employee's doctor which could not be accommodated therefore resulting in a lost time accident.

July 19, 2023 WV · Coal electrician, lineman ELECTRICAL
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Contact with electrical current

Employee's finger inadvertently came in contact with an energized lead as EE was trouble shooting the panel of a shuttle car.

2022 · 10 incidents

December 5, 2022 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was dusting section when the duster fell out of the scoop bucket and made contact with employee's foot causing injury.

October 27, 2022 WV · Coal electrician, lineman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was using a chain ratchet set when the chain broke striking the employee in the lower left leg.

October 18, 2022 WV · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A non-injury roof fall occurred in the left return air course at break #49. The fall approximately measured 60'long by 20' wide and 5'high.

October 17, 2022 WV · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A non-injury roof fall occurred in the primary intake #3 entry at break #48. The fall approximately measured 30' long by 20' wide and 5' high.

September 11, 2022 WV · Coal section foreman, bullgang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, shift boss HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

The employee was hanging line curtain in the number two entry, and as employee was lifting the curtain felt a strain in groin and back. The initial incident happened on 9/11/22 and the employee sought treatment on 9/19/22 and was taken off work by employee's physician on 9/26/22.

August 22, 2022 WV · Coal lw propman, propman helper, move crew if lw, move-up man, jacksetter, advanceman lw helper SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Fall onto or against objects

The employee was getting off a mack-12 mantrip when they slipped striking knee on the metal seat bracket resulting in a laceration.

August 10, 2022 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was putting a scoop on charge and the battery bell fell striking employee on the finger.

June 20, 2022 WV · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

An Non-Injury roof fall accident occurred in the roadway #3 entry at break #22. The fall is approximately 40' long by 20' wide and 10' high.

April 27, 2022 WV · Coal scoop car/scooptram operator, load/haul/dump (lhd) operator, teletram operator FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Ramaco Resources, LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was scooping the cross-cut from the number 6 to 7 entry when a piece of coal rib gave loose striking EE in the back.

2019 · 2 incidents

October 8, 2019 WV · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Buchanan Minerals, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Unplanned roof fall at Break 33 in the #4 entry. The fall was dangered off and cribbed at all approaches. The life line was rerouted around the the fall in a different entry.

2016 · 1 incident

July 21, 2016 WV · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Buchanan Minerals, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

An unintentional roof fall occurred outby the section. The roof fall fell at cross-cut #50 in the intake #4 entry and extended to the intake #3 entry (3 to 4 cross-cut). The length of the fall was 75' by 18' wide and approximately 4' to 5' thick. A clean up plan will be submitted and the fall cleaned up.

2015 · 1 incident

June 22, 2015 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
CONSOL Amonate Mining Company LLC · Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

Employee was trying to pull drill steel out of roof and beat it with a sledge hammer to release it. Felt pain in back.

2009 · 2 incidents

January 10, 2009 WV · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST
Harvest-Time Coal Inc · Contact with hot objects or substances

Miner operator was taking 2nd cut out of #5 left entry break when a methane ignition occurred. The ignition came back across the miner burning the operator.

January 10, 2009 WV · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST
Harvest-Time Coal Inc · Contact with hot objects or substances

The shuttle car operator was loading behind miner in #5 left break when methane ignition occurred. The igniton came across the miner and back to the shuttle car striking the shuttle car operator on the left side of his face.

2007 · 1 incident

June 4, 2007 WV · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator POWERED HAULAGE
Harvest-Time Coal Inc · Struck against stationary object

S/c operator making left turn in intersection. Oper side deck catching corner of rib. Lump of coal 3"x9" come into oper. deck. Oper tried to move with left foot while s/car still tramming, causing a laceration to inside of ankle.

2006 · 4 incidents

July 17, 2006 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Shadow Valley Mining, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While operating roof bolt machine, injured raised canopy against mine roof (uneven top) with too much pressure applied, causing part of canopy to break loose, fall, striking victim, causing injuries.

April 20, 2006 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
Shadow Valley Mining, LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was operating a drill with jack leg attachment, jack leg failed to release, employee was attempting to release jack leg when employee slipped, employees (right) foot was between two (2) rocks, when employee fell and injured ankle.

February 20, 2006 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Shadow Valley Mining, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The pinner needed hydraulic oil; two co-workers went and got two 5 gallon buckets of oil from outside and carried it down slope through door to reach pinner. Once injured reached the pinner, he set the two buckets down. When he rose back up he felt pain in his lower back. Was taken to hospital at 11:00 a.m.

February 13, 2006 WV · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator POWERED HAULAGE
Shadow Valley Mining, LLC · Struck by flying object

EMPLOYEE WAS USING SCOOP TO PULL CONVEYOR CHAIN WHEN THE STEEL CABLE BROKE, STRIKING HIM ON THE FACE AND RIGHT EYE, CAUSING BRUISING.

2005 · 2 incidents

September 15, 2005 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Consolidation Coal Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was pushing an I-Beam off of a Mucker when little finger on right hand got caught between the beam and the roof. Employee went to doctor received stitches and returned to work with no restrictions the next day.

August 13, 2005 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Consolidation Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

ee was installing I-Beams across intersection of slope when he strained right shoulder after attempting to lift beam over his shoulder

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Laurel Fork 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.