Prosperity Mine No. 1 has $1.1M in proposed MSHA penalties and $944K outstanding across 49 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
56
Years on record
2001–2015
Latest incident
Nov 2015
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2001
1,213
citations
369
significant & substantial
$1,143,307
proposed penalties
$23,133
paid to date
2% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $1,120,174 gap.
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.
1,213 citations across 10,088 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.
3
Section 107(a) orders
Most recent order: 2012-02-22.
On record since 2011.
Source: MSHA imminent-danger order records, updated weekly.
Prosperity Mine No. 1 has $1.1M in proposed MSHA penalties and $944K outstanding across 49 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.
$1.1M
proposed penalties
$967K
current assessed
$23K
paid to date
$944K
outstanding
1,093 assessments are final orders; 49 contested dockets.
Of $685K in penalties contested before the Commission, $489K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2018-07-02.
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.
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.
333citations taken to the federal commission · 27% of citations on record
Settled
257 · 77%
Stood as issued
65 · 20%
Vacated or withdrawn
11 · 3%
89%
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 145 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
29%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$685K proposed, $489K 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 2017-05-05.
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.
MSHA sampling at Prosperity Mine No. 1 shows 93% of 718 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: 2016-08-10, 10 years ago
93%
within 1.5 mg/m3
718
samples
4.62
dust max (mg/m3)
1
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.
382 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 336 by the operator.
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.
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.
Prosperity Mine No. 1 recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2016.
Injury rate, 2016
ⓘ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 3.79 and the all-US-mining average was 2.59 cases per 100 workers.
In Tennessee, coal mining averaged 2.49 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
2016 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2015 *
12.12
8.08
0.000
2012 *
25.28
10.11
0.000
2011 *
10.29
10.29
0.000
2010 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2009 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2007 *
5.61
2.80
0.000
2006
7.53
5.65
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.
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)
2017
2
2016
16
12,550
2015
31
39,249
2014
26
44,806
2013
4
2012
19
9,872
2011
17
2010
14
2009
12
2,376
2008
0
2007
29
168,315
2006
46
299,785
2005
20
75,122
2004
20
141,073
2003
30
256,998
2002
37
270,731
2001
23
75,599
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Prosperity Mine No. 1 sits in Claiborne County, Tennessee, where the Census mining category is 1.0% 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.
Claiborne County, Tennessee · Population 32,221
1.0%
Mining share of county employment
$46,587
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
2017 Q4
640
36
15
56250.0
2017 Q3
800
9
3
11250.0
2017 Q2
800
48
17
60000.0
2017 Q1
400
2
0
5000.0
2016 Q4
0
3
0
2016 Q3
14,200
31
8
2183.1
2016 Q2
5,260
29
5
5513.3
2016 Q1
2,040
15
1
7352.9
Show 54 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2015 Q4
16,398
23
5
1402.6
2015 Q3
8,020
19
4
2369.1
2015 Q2
5,776
39
9
6752.1
2015 Q1
19,318
30
14
1553.0
2014 Q4
24,297
15
7
617.4
2014 Q3
16,002
57
13
3562.1
2014 Q2
4,198
19
2
4526.0
2013 Q4
784
1
0
1275.5
2013 Q3
1,704
2
0
1173.7
2013 Q2
2,624
2
1
762.2
2013 Q1
2,543
2
0
786.5
2012 Q4
2,478
12
1
4842.6
2012 Q3
7,344
88
26
11982.6
2012 Q2
17,298
136
62
7862.2
2012 Q1
12,440
48
7
3858.5
2011 Q4
10,901
14
3
1284.3
2011 Q3
13,728
74
27
5390.4
2011 Q2
7,762
29
11
3736.2
2011 Q1
6,475
29
8
4478.8
2010 Q4
6,760
25
7
3698.2
2010 Q3
5,760
8
2
1388.9
2010 Q2
8,320
30
17
3605.8
2010 Q1
6,720
21
2
3125.0
2009 Q4
7,680
56
15
7291.7
2009 Q3
5,760
13
2
2256.9
2009 Q2
5,760
6
1
1041.7
2009 Q1
4,608
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
0
0
0
2008 Q1
0
1
1
2007 Q4
0
0
0
2007 Q3
2,017
3
1
1487.4
2007 Q2
34,240
15
9
438.1
2007 Q1
35,099
19
4
541.3
2006 Q4
35,571
13
2
365.5
2006 Q3
26,572
3
1
112.9
2006 Q2
23,322
20
5
857.6
2006 Q1
20,715
6
1
289.6
2005 Q4
19,777
6
1
303.4
2005 Q3
5,749
2
0
347.9
2005 Q2
0
0
0
2004 Q4
0
0
0
2004 Q3
8,989
0
0
0.0
2004 Q2
16,008
5
1
312.3
2004 Q1
15,447
5
2
323.7
2003 Q4
17,605
4
0
227.2
2003 Q3
16,013
11
7
686.9
2003 Q2
16,266
10
3
614.8
2003 Q1
15,083
9
0
596.7
2002 Q4
13,315
6
1
450.6
2002 Q3
23,851
14
5
587.0
2002 Q2
14,300
7
1
489.5
2002 Q1
23,468
6
4
255.7
2001 Q4
19,529
19
8
972.9
2001 Q3
2,369
1
0
422.1
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
56 on file
2015 · 7 incidents
November 26, 2015TN · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)MACHINERY
The off side roof bolter had a piece of drill steel stuck in a hole the drill steel came loose fell out of the hole and struck his right hand causing a cut in between his thumb and pointer finger
At approx. 1:55 P.M. on 6/3/15. The miner operator was operating the company # 2 Joy 1415 continuous miner in the #1 heading of 007 MMU, when a piece of debris flew outby from the head area of the machine and struck the operator in the left eye. Upon examination of the injury. He seemed to have a scratch horizontally across his left eye.
A non-injury unintentional roof fall has occurred at the #3 intake portal of the mine sometime during the weekend of 4-11-15 and 4-12-15. The mine is temporarily in "Non-Producing" status with no one working at the site at the time the fall occurred.
February 24, 2015TN · Coalcontinuous miner operator, coal mole operatorMACHINERY
EE was operating the continuous miner in the #1 entry of MMU007 when a piece of carbide flew out of the head of miner & struck ee in neck. It made a cut approx. 3/4" long & went into the skin of his neck. EE was treated the next day at Lexington. He was taken to hospital the evening of the accident but couldn't be transported to Lexington sooner due to inclement weather.
Employee was taking a break in #3 heading, leaning over the batteries on the back of the scoop. A piece of draw rock measuring approx. 22" x 39" across and 2 1/2" thick, tapering down thinner at edges, dislodged from the mine roof, falling approx. 2 ft. striking him on the top of his hard hat. Disorienting the employee.
November 13, 2014TN · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Prosperity Coal, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object
Employee was helping the mechanics hang a CLA on the miner. While trying to lift the CLA to put a crib block underneath it to free a lid that was underneath the CLA, it slipped crushing the first digit of the middle finger on his right hand.
July 30, 2014TN · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorMACHINERY
EE was drilling a hole to install a roof bolt when a piece of rock fell, striking his right upper arm and shoulder leaving a deep cut and several small scratches.
EE was cutting a metal band which holds bundles of straps, when the metal band came back and hit him on his left hand, causing a cut to the side of his left hand.
February 9, 2012TN · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)MACHINERY
A piece of rock, 8-10 inches in diameter, and 1-2 inches thick, fell, striking EE right hand, cutting his middle finger, while he was attempting to retrieve his drill steel from drill hole.
EE (Roof Bolter Operator) was preparing to install roof bolts when a roof bolt fell off the machine and lodged behind an operating lever, causing the machine to swing over against EE, which caused bruising and pain to right side, rib cage area.
Found rock fall 13 breaks outby section in return between spad # 1336 & 1327. Had cribs set & 12' rope bolts. Fall was approximately 60' long, 18' wide, 12' 13' thick. No major ventilation change. No escapeways blocked. Reported to MSHA by phone on 7/9/07 after getting to surface.
June 20, 2007TN · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Had rock fall one break inby spad #1334 in #2 entry on 004 section. Fall approx 6-10' thick X 40' long X 18' wide. Area was bolted with 6' resin bolts & 12' rope bolt over 14' - 16'. Area cribbed off on all sides with crib block. Fall was inspected by MSHA Inspectors on 6/13/07.
EE twisted his knee in April. Continued to work - didn't miss any work. Went to doctor in Knoxville & had it checked out. Went on vacation week of the 4th. We had lay off on the 9th. He informed us then that he was going to have surgery on his knee that day. (He went on workers comp starting the 9th of July 2007).
2006 · 4 incidents
August 8, 2006TN · Coalshuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
Employee was bringing scoop outside,went down a hill & hit pole in bottom & it bounced him up in deck of scoop & he hit his head on canopy. Went to hospital next day at 12:30pm on 8/9/06 complaining of neck pain.
July 25, 2006TN · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Employee was using a hydraulic spreader with a porta power jack. The spreader slipped out & struck him in the nose. Went to emergency room, did x-ray, said he had a hairline fracture on bridge of nose.
Employee was bolting top in #6 entry. He had put up bolt and then walked back to get a box of glue from back of pinner. When he started back to front of roof bolter, a piece of draw rock fell from between rib and bolt and struck him in the head and back and knocked him to the ground.
2005 · 4 incidents
November 17, 2005TN · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)HANDLING OF MATERIALS
ROOF FALL AT INTERSECTION OF #2 ENTRY, ON 003 SECTION 6' RESIN BOLTS WERE BEING USED ALSO 10' ROPE BOLTS. WATER COMING THROUGH TOP. FALL WAS APPROXIMATELY 20 X 20 X 10' THICK. AREA WAS DANGERED OFF & CRIBS SET.
October 4, 2005TN · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
EE was making up roof bolts & helping on roof bolter and a piece of draw rock fell from bolt over to rib striking him in his back.
August 2, 2005TN · Coalbull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift bossSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Tennco Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface
Employee fell and struck left elbow on bottom. He didn't go to doctor until 8-12-05 and had x-ray done, nothing broken just bruised. Went to doctor because elbow was still a little sore. Didn't miss any work.
2004 · 4 incidents
May 24, 2004TN · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)HANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE WAS WALKING AROUND ROOF BOLTER & STRUCK HIS RIGHT LEG AGAINST SIDE OF ROOF BOLTER THAT HAD A STRAP STICKING OUT & IT CUT HIS LEG JUST ABOVE HIS KNEE. HE WORKED THE SHIFT & WENT TO THE E.R. AT MIDDLESBORO AFTER WORK. THE PUT 4 STAPLES & BANDAGE & T-SHOT
May 10, 2004TN · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)MACHINERY
EE WAS BOLTING TOP IN #4 HEADING AND A PIECE OF DRAW ROCK FELL AND STRUCK HIM IN THE RIGHT FOOT. ROCK SLID OFF TOP OF CANOPY AND STRUCK HIS FOOT. WENT TO THE DOCTOR THE NEXT DAY - NO BONES BROKEN, JUST BADLY BRUISED.
March 28, 2004TN · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Tennco Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface
EMPLOYEE WAS MAKING PRE-SHIFT ON 0020 SECTION, FELL AND HIT HIS RIGHT KNEE ON THE BOTTOM.
February 16, 2004TN · Coalscoop car/scooptram operator, load/haul/dump (lhd) operator, teletram operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE WAS BOLTING TOP IN #1 ENTRY AND PIECE OF ROCK SLID OFF OF CANOPY AND STRUCK HIM IN HIS RIGHT FOOT. TOOK HIM TO PINEVILL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. THEY ADMITTED HIM FOR OBSERVATION AND TO CHECK FOOT OUT. ROCK CUT A PLACE ON TOP OF HIS FOOT & POSSIBLY BROKE BONE IN TOP OF FOOT.
ROOF STARTED WORKING 6 BREAKS IN BY SECTION HEAD DRIVE (001 SECTION) ONE BREAK IN BY SPAD 536. CRIBS WERE SET BEFORE THE FALL. BELT AND STRUCTURE WAS REMOVED AND BELT LINE WAS MOVED OVER ONE ENTRY AND RESET. FALL WAS 40' LONG 19' WIDE AND 10' THICK.
ROCK FALL ON FEEDER SOMETIME AFTER DAY SHIFT LEFT ON 9-25-03. ROCK FELL SOMETIME DURING THE NIGHT.FOUND ON PRE-SHIFT 9-26-03. AREA WHERE FALL OCCURRED WAS FAULTY WITH COAL STREAKS AND SANDSTON E. STREAKS FALL WAS ABOUT 9' THICK BY 25' LONG AND 20' WIDE (FEEDER WAS FREED FROM FALL AND WE MOVED SECTION)
September 9, 2003TN · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)MACHINERY
EE TOLD FOREMAN THAT A PIECE OF ROCK STRUCK HIM IN THE BACK IN #6 ENTRY THEN LATER SAID IT WAS UIT WAS #2 ENTRY DIDN'T LEAVE WORK NO FIRST AID GIVEN CONTINUED TO WORK AND DIDNT GO TO DR. UNTI L THE 19TH AND BACK TO DR.ON 9-22-03 RETURNED TOWORK ON 9-23-03 SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO GO TO DR. AGAIN LATER.
August 11, 2003TN · Coallaborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerFALL OF ROOF OR BACK
ROOF FALL ON INTAKE SIDE OF 001-SECTION LONG BELT IN THE #4 ENTRY OLD MAINS. FALL WAS IN INTERSECTION. THIS WAS CALLED INTO MSHA. I FORGOT TO FILL OUT THE 7000-1.
EE WAS BOLTING TOP IN #5 HEADING & SMALL PIECE OF ROCK FELL BETWEEN CANOPY & ATRS AND STRUCK HIM IN THE LEFT HAND. CUT HIS MIDDLE FINGER & HIS RING FINGER.
STARTED A #2 LEFT BREAK CUT ABOUT 15' DEEP. TOP STARTED TO WORK BEFORE ROOF BOLTER GOT TO IT. WE LET IT WORK AWHILE. IT FELL ABOUT 4' THICK AND PULLED ROCK FROM AROUND A COUPLE ROLLS OF BOLTS IN THE INTERSECTION. AREA HAS BIG SLIPS SO WE TIMBERED AND DANGERED IT OFF AND CUT AROUND THE AREA.
November 27, 2002TN · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE WAS CHANGING WHEEL UNIT ON SHUTTLE CAR AND INJURED HIS BACK. WAS OFF FOR THANKSGIVING DIDNOT COME BACK TO WORK ON THE 1ST POSSIBLE SLIPPED DISC NOTIFIED ME ON THE 29TH OF NOV.
August 12, 2002TN · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)HANDLING OF MATERIALS
CLIMBED ON TOP OF BOLT MACHINE TO GET A BUNDLE OF PLATES. WHEN HE STARTED TO GWET DOWN HE STEPPED ON A BIT BUCKET & FELLOFF OF THE MACHINE & LANDED ON A ROCK.
2001 · 1 incident
December 31, 2001TN · Coallaborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerHANDLING OF MATERIALS