Hubble Mining Co. LLC · Accident type, without injuries
Fall of roof on pillar line trapping 1 mobile roof support
Mine No. 1: 223 MSHA citations Coal
Hubble Mining Co. LLC
· Underground
Controlled by
Harold E Akers; Jim D Akers
Appalachia,
Wise County,
VA
·
Abandoned and Sealed
MSHA Mine ID: 4406776
Mine No. 1 has $20K in proposed MSHA penalties and $5K outstanding across 5 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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- Fatalities
- 0
- Total incidents
- 33
- Years on record
- 1995–2005
- Latest incident
- Aug 2005
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
223
citations
73
significant & substantial
$19,838
proposed penalties
$14,719
paid to date
74% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $5,119 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
136
inspections on record
2,869
inspection hours
7.8
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.223 citations across 2,869 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Mine No. 1 has $20K in proposed MSHA penalties and $5K outstanding across 5 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.$20K
proposed penalties
$19K
current assessed
$15K
paid to date
$5K
outstanding
219 assessments are final orders; 5 contested dockets.
Of $2K in penalties contested before the Commission, $2K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2006-02-16.
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.33.3%
significant & substantial
2.3%
high negligence or reckless
33.3%
reasonably likely or greater
8.2%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.5% none, 11.4% low, 85.8% moderate, 2.3% 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.
10
citations taken to the federal commission · 4% of citations on record
- Settled 7 · 70%
- Stood as issued 3 · 30%
100%
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 3 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
11%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$1K proposed, $1K 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 2005-04-19.
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 2005-32 | Default | Lesnick | 2005 | $740 → $740 |
| VA 20030012 | Settlement | Barbour | 2003 | $500 → $425 |
| VA 2005-16 | Settlement | Lesnick | 2005 | $360 → $280 |
| VA 20020057 | Settlement | Barbour | 2002 | $250 → $55 |
| VA 2005-13 | Settlement | Lesnick | 2005 | $217 → $150 |
Source: FMSHRC civil penalty dockets and decisions (public record), updated weekly.
MSHA sampling at Mine No. 1 shows 96% of 575 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: 2005-11-04, 20 years ago
ⓘ
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.96%
within 1.5 mg/m3
575
samples
5.54
dust max (mg/m3)
267 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 308 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
- CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR256
- SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR (STANDARD SIDE)65
- SCOOP CAR OPERATOR36
Silica (quartz)
Last sampled: 2005-05-10, 21 years ago8.5
silica avg (%)
66
samples
19.0
silica max (%)
Most-sampled occupations
- CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR20
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: 2005-07-12, 21 years ago
ⓘ
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.5%
over PEL
39
samples
Most-sampled occupations
- CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR10
- SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR (STANDARD SIDE)10
- SCOOP CAR OPERATOR5
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 100% | 66 |
| 2004 | 99% | 80 |
| 2003 | 98% | 83 |
| 2002 | 96% | 76 |
| 2001 | 94% | 109 |
| 2000 | 94% | 161 |
Silica (quartz) by year
| Year | silica avg (%) | samples |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6.4 | 4 |
| 2004 | 6.5 | 10 |
| 2003 | 8.2 | 9 |
| 2002 | 8.8 | 9 |
| 2001 | 10.2 | 14 |
| 2000 | 8.7 | 20 |
Noise by year
| Year | over PEL | samples |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 0% | 5 |
| 2004 | 0% | 5 |
| 2003 | 14% | 7 |
| 2002 | 0% | 5 |
| 2001 | 0% | 8 |
| 2000 | 11% | 9 |
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
Mine No. 1 recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2005.
Injury rate, 2005
ⓘ
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 5.11 and the all-US-mining average was 4.21 cases per 100 workers.
In Virginia, coal mining averaged 4.71 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 * | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.000 |
| 2004 * | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.000 |
| 2003 * | 10.24 | 10.24 | 0.000 |
| 2002 * | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.000 |
| 2000 * | 0.00 | 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
- Black Mountain Mining Company 1994 to 1995
- Black Mountain Mining Company 1995 to 1997
- Middleton Mining Llc 1997 to 1999
- Hosanna Llc 1999 to 2001
- South Fork Mine, Inc. 2001 to 2001
- Hubble Mining Co. LLC 2001 to present
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) |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 16 | 167,414 |
| 2004 | 17 | 220,083 |
| 2003 | 16 | 186,634 |
| 2002 | 16 | 137,745 |
| 2001 | 22 | 81,707 |
| 2000 | 33 | 259,650 |
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Mine No. 1 sits in Wise County, Virginia, where the Census mining category is 5.9% 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.Wise County, Virginia · Population 35,727
5.9%
Mining share of county employment
$50,740
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Q3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2006 Q2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2006 Q1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2005 Q4 | 8,522 | 5 | 0 | 586.7 |
| 2005 Q3 | 8,555 | 6 | 2 | 701.3 |
| 2005 Q2 | 9,842 | 7 | 2 | 711.2 |
| 2005 Q1 | 10,490 | 4 | 1 | 381.3 |
| 2004 Q4 | 9,478 | 12 | 2 | 1266.1 |
Show 18 earlier quarters Hide earlier quarters
| Quarter | Hours worked | Citations | S&S | Per 1M hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Q3 | 9,237 | 2 | 0 | 216.5 |
| 2004 Q2 | 9,630 | 5 | 1 | 519.2 |
| 2004 Q1 | 9,129 | 16 | 5 | 1752.7 |
| 2003 Q4 | 10,548 | 9 | 5 | 853.2 |
| 2003 Q3 | 9,380 | 4 | 1 | 426.4 |
| 2003 Q2 | 9,584 | 8 | 4 | 834.7 |
| 2003 Q1 | 9,536 | 7 | 3 | 734.1 |
| 2002 Q4 | 9,352 | 14 | 6 | 1497.0 |
| 2002 Q3 | 9,295 | 2 | 0 | 215.2 |
| 2002 Q2 | 9,449 | 9 | 2 | 952.5 |
| 2002 Q1 | 6,087 | 9 | 3 | 1478.6 |
| 2001 Q4 | 1,289 | 3 | 2 | 2327.4 |
| 2001 Q2 | 18,073 | 18 | 6 | 996.0 |
| 2001 Q1 | 16,426 | 9 | 7 | 547.9 |
| 2000 Q4 | 18,286 | 9 | 2 | 492.2 |
| 2000 Q3 | 15,622 | 17 | 6 | 1088.2 |
| 2000 Q2 | 21,002 | 11 | 4 | 523.8 |
| 2000 Q1 | 15,053 | 8 | 2 | 531.5 |
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
33 on file2005 · 1 incident
2004 · 1 incident
Hubble Mining Co. LLC · Accident type, without injuries
Abutement pressure from retreat mining.
2003 · 2 incidents
May 15, 2003
VA · Coal
scoop car/scooptram operator, load/haul/dump (lhd) operator, teletram operator
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Hubble Mining Co. LLC · Fall from machine
CLIMBING ACROSS SCOOP TO OTHER SIDE, FELL AND INJURED RIGHT KNEE.
May 1, 2003
VA · Coal
scoop car/scooptram operator, load/haul/dump (lhd) operator, teletram operator
POWERED HAULAGE
Hubble Mining Co. LLC · Struck against a moving object
WHILE CLEANING ROADWAY OUTBY LAST OPEN CROSS CUT RIB ROLLED INTO OPERATOR STATION INJURING HIM. PATIENT TOOK HIMSELF TO ER: PIKEVILLE METHODIST HOSP - RELEASED TO GO HOME.
2001 · 1 incident
Hosanna Llc · Accident type, without injuries
ROOF FALL OCCURRED WHILE TAKING THE END CUT OFF A PILLAR USING THE 3 CUT PARTIAL PILLAR PLAN IN THE RIGHT XCUT OFF THE #3 ENTRY ON THE #001 SECTION APPROX. 40' INBY SS#1747.
2000 · 1 incident
Hosanna Llc · Struck against stationary object
THE TRUCK WAS COMING DOWN THE ROAD AROUND A CURVE & STARTED DOWN THE HILL. DRIVER CHANGED GEARS OUT OF DEPRODUCTION AND IT WOULDNT START BACK INANOTHER GEAR. THE TRUCK RAN AWAY & WENT OVER AN BERM & DOWN THE HILL
1999 · 5 incidents
April 27, 1999
VA · Coal
roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)
MACHINERY
Middleton Mining Llc · Struck by falling object
WHILE OPERATING FLETCHER R.B. A ROCK FELL AND STRUCK THE OPERATOR.
March 10, 1999
VA · Coal
roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)
MACHINERY
Middleton Mining Llc · Struck by falling object
WHILE OPERATING R.B. A PIECE OF DRAW ROCK FELL FROM BETWEEN LAST ROW OF BOLTS & T-BAR HITTING EE ON THE NECK & LEFT SHOULDER.
Middleton Mining Llc · Over-exertion in lifting objects
EE PICKED UP MINER CABLE TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY, FELT PAIN IN GROIN AREA.
February 5, 1999
VA · Coal
roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)
HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Middleton Mining Llc · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects
EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING DRILL STEEL FROM DRILL, ANDFELT A SEVERE PAIN IN HIS LOWER RIGHT BACK.
Middleton Mining Llc · Struck by falling object
WHILE OPERATING THE REMOTE CONTROL ON THE MINER A ROCK FELL FROM BETWEEN BOLTS & HIT OPERATOR ON LEFT ARM & HAND
1998 · 8 incidents
September 8, 1998
VA · Coal
roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)
MACHINERY
Middleton Mining Llc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object
OPERATOR WAS IN PROCESS OF SETTING PINNER UP TO INSTALL BOLTS ON CORNER WHEN OFFSIDE OPERATOR PROCEEDED TO MAKE UP BOLT. OPERATOR DECIDED TO MOVE PINNER HELPER DIDNT KNOW BOLTER WAS ABOUT TO M OVE. PINNER BACKED UP ON HELPERS LEFT FOOT
August 12, 1998
VA · Coal
roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)
FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Middleton Mining Llc · Struck by falling object
EE WAS BESIDE ROOF BOLTER MAKING UP BOLTS WHEN A SLAB OF ROCK FELL FROM BETWEEN BOLTS AND HIT HIM.
Middleton Mining Llc · Struck against stationary object
EE WAS USING A 10 LB. SLEDGEHAMMER AND HIT HIS LEFT ARM AND ELBOW ON A METAL BRACE AS HE SWUNG THE SLEDGEHAMMER.
May 12, 1998
VA · Coal
roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)
MACHINERY
Middleton Mining Llc · Struck by falling object
ROCK FELL OUT OF TOP WHILE DRILLING HOLE, STRIKING VICTIM ON LEFT FOREARM, BRUISING ARM.
Middleton Mining Llc · (Not Elsewhere Classified)
EE ALLEGES HE HAD BACK PAIN WHILE PULLING A CABLE. EE LATER SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK.
March 10, 1998
VA · Coal
shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator
STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
Middleton Mining Llc · Struck against stationary object
STEPPED ON FEEDER CABLE, SLIPPED, LOST BALANCE AND TWISTED KNEE
March 9, 1998
VA · Coal
shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator
HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Middleton Mining Llc · Struck against stationary object
TIGHTING LAGS ON SC WHEEL. RATCHET SLIPPED AND HE HIT HIS HEAD ON CAR
February 21, 1998
VA · Coal
roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)
MACHINERY
Middleton Mining Llc · Struck by falling object
OPERATING R.B. ROCK FELL BETWEEN LAST ROW OF BOTS & T BAR HITTING HIM ON LEFT HIP & BACK
1996 · 6 incidents
Black Mountain Mining Company · Accident type, without injuries
ROCK FALL FELL ABOVE ANCHORAGE POINT, USING A 4' FULLY GROUTED ROD. THE ROCK OCCURRED APPROX. 65' OUTBY SURVEY STATION #84 IN THE NO. 5 ENTRY.
November 22, 1996
VA · Coal
roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)
MACHINERY
Black Mountain Mining Company · Struck by flying object
EE WAS DRILLING HOLE IN TOP WHEN STEEL BROKE NEXT TO BASE OF STEEL CATCHING EE'S LEFT INDEX FINGER & MASHED FINGER NAIL & END OF FINGER OFF.
September 23, 1996
VA · Coal
roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)
FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Black Mountain Mining Company · Struck by falling object
INJURED WAS WALKING ALONG SIDE OF ROOF DRILL WHILE DRILL WAS BEING TRAMMED. WHEN A SLICKEN SIDED PIECE OF ROCK APPROX. 7' LONG 3' WIDE AND 0-6 " THICK FELL OUT UNDETECTED BETWEEN BOLT AND COAL RIB STRIKE IN A INJURED ON BACK AND MID SECTIONOF BODY.
August 23, 1996
VA · Coal
bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Mountain Mining Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface
INJURED STATED HE WAS WALKING DOWN HILL BEHIND MINE OFFICE WHEN HE SLIPPED AND FELL ON THE GROUND.
April 5, 1996
VA · Coal
shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator
FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Black Mountain Mining Company · Struck by falling object
INJURED STATED HE WAS HELPING MINER OPERATOR WATCH MINER CABLE WHEN A PIECE OF DRAW ROCK APPROX. 3' WIDE X 3' LONG APPROX. 6" THICK.
April 3, 1996
VA · Coal
roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Mountain Mining Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface
INJURED STATED HE WAS CARRYING A BOX OF RESIN GLUE, WHEN HE SLIPPED AND FELL AND EXPERIENCED PAIN IN GROIN.
1995 · 8 incidents
Black Mountain Mining Company · Accident type, without injuries
ROCK FALL OCCURED IN THE NO. 4 BELT ENTRY APPROX. 95' INBY SURVE STATION NO. 364. FELL ABOVE ANCHORAGE POINT USING A 4' FULL GROUTED ROD.
August 8, 1995
VA · Coal
roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)
FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Black Mountain Mining Company · Struck by falling object
MAN WAS LETTING CANOPY DOWN ON ROOF DRILL WHEN PIECE OF DRAW ROCK FELL FROM TOP STRIKING MAN ON RIGHT WRIST. ROCK WAS ABOUT 3" THICK BY 8" WIDE BY 10" LONG.
July 17, 1995
VA · Coal
roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)
MACHINERY
Black Mountain Mining Company · Struck by falling object
MAN STATED HE WAS INSTALLING CENTER BOLT IN ROOF WHEN ROCK FELL FROM TOP STRIKING HIM IN HIS LOWER RIGHT LEG.
Black Mountain Mining Company · Accident type, without injuries
FELL ABOVE ANCHORAGE POINT USING A 4' FULLY GROUTED RESIN ROD- FELL IN AN INTERSECTION NO.3 ENTRY -140' OUTBY FACE OF THIS ENTRY.
May 29, 1995
VA · Coal
bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss
HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Mountain Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)
EMPLOYEE WAS HANGING LIFELINE IN #6 AC AND A PIECE OF COPPER WIRE HIT HIM IN THE LEFT EYE.
April 4, 1995
VA · Coal
roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)
MACHINERY
Black Mountain Mining Company · Struck by falling object
EE WAS INSTALLING ROOF BOLT A PIECE OF ROCK FELL AND HIT HIM ON NOSE CUT NOSE.
Black Mountain Mining Company · Struck by falling object
EE WAS OPERATING A 14CM JOY MINER A PIECE OF LOOSE ROCK MEASURING 4' LONG X 2 1/2' W 6X1 INCH THICK FELL HITTING EE HEAD.
March 10, 1995
VA · Coal
roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)
MACHINERY
Black Mountain Mining Company · Struck by falling object
EMPLOYEE WAS SETTING CANOPY AGAINST ROOF WHEN A PIECE OF ROCK MEASURING 23"WX11"LX 0"-1" THICK FELL HITTING HIM IN LOWER BACK.