Mining Incidents

Superior Coal Preparation Co-Op LLC: 77 MSHA citations Coal

Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 3602014

Superior Coal Preparation Co-Op LLC has $8K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 1 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
3
Years on record
2011–2024
Latest incident
Mar 2024
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
77
citations
13
significant & substantial
$8,376
proposed penalties
$8,376
paid to date
100% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $0 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
96
inspections on record
2,912
inspection hours
2.6
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.
77 citations across 2,912 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Superior Coal Preparation Co-Op LLC has $8K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 1 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.
$8K
proposed penalties
$8K
current assessed
$8K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
76 assessments are final orders; 1 contested dockets.
Of $100 in penalties contested before the Commission, $100 was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-06-09.
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.
16.9%
significant & substantial
0.0%
high negligence or reckless
16.9%
reasonably likely or greater
13.0%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 46.8% low, 53.2% moderate, 0.0% 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.
1 citations taken to the federal commission · 1% of citations on record
  • Settled 1 · 100%
0%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$100 proposed, $100 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 2008-10-24.
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
PENN 2009-46 Settlement Lesnick 2010 $100 → $100
Source: FMSHRC civil penalty dockets and decisions (public record), updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Superior Coal Preparation Co-Op LLC shows 99% of 273 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: 2026-06-09
99%
within 1.5 mg/m3
273
samples
2.94
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.
209 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 64 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
  • CRUSHER ATTENDANT83
  • CLEANING PLANT OPERATOR62
  • COAL TRUCK DRIVER58

Silica (quartz)

Last sampled: 2024-06-18
1.2
silica avg (%)
12
samples
1.9
silica max (%)
Most-sampled occupations
  • CRUSHER ATTENDANT11
  • COAL TRUCK DRIVER1

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: 2025-11-05
5%
over PEL
149
samples
Most-sampled occupations
  • CLEANING PLANT OPERATOR39
  • HIGHLIFT OPERATOR/FRONT END LOADER34
  • LABORER/BLACKSMITH32
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
2026 100% 3
2025 100% 9
2024 100% 8
2023 100% 7
2022 100% 12
2021 100% 7
2020 92% 12
2019 100% 10
2018 100% 6
2017 100% 5
2016 100% 8
2015 100% 13
2014 100% 8
2013 95% 19
2012 100% 19
2011 100% 18
2010 100% 12
2009 100% 6
2008 100% 17
2007 100% 14
2006 100% 9
2005 80% 10
2004 100% 7
2003 100% 11
2002 100% 7
2001 100% 8
2000 100% 8
Silica (quartz) by year
Year silica avg (%) samples
2024 0.9 2
2021 1.5 1
2020 0.7 1
2019 1.2 2
2016 1.8 1
2015 0.6 1
2014 0.5 1
2013 0.7 1
2010 1.7 1
2000 1.9 1
Noise by year
Year over PEL samples
2025 0% 10
2024 11% 9
2023 0% 5
2022 0% 8
2020 33% 3
2019 0% 10
2018 0% 6
2017 0% 5
2016 0% 8
2015 0% 12
2014 0% 4
2013 0% 8
2012 0% 5
2011 0% 5
2010 0% 5
2008 0% 13
2007 0% 9
2006 0% 5
2005 0% 3
2004 20% 5
2003 20% 5
2002 33% 3
2000 67% 3
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
Ownership history
  1. Superior Preparation Company Inc 1977 to 1984
  2. Superior Preparation Company Inc 1984 to 1993
  3. Superior Preparation 1993 to 2001
  4. Superior Coal Preparation Co-Op LLC 2001 to present
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Year Employees
2026 7
2025 9
2024 8
2023 4
2022 4
2021 4
2020 5
2019 6
2018 5
2017 6
2016 5
2015 6
2014 6
2013 6
2012 8
2011 6
2010 5
2009 5
2008 5
2007 6
2006 6
2005 7
2004 8
2003 5
2002 4
2001 12
2000 14
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

Superior Coal Preparation Co-Op LLC sits in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, where the Census mining category is 1.1% 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.
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania · Population 143,259
1.1%
Mining share of county employment
$66,901
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
2026 Q2 3,632 1 0 275.3
2026 Q1 3,640 0 0 0.0
2025 Q4 4,328 3 0 693.2
2025 Q3 4,070 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 4,263 1 0 234.6
2025 Q1 4,580 3 1 655.0
2024 Q4 3,758 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 3,714 1 0 269.3
Show 98 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2 4,057 2 1 493.0
2024 Q1 4,098 1 0 244.0
2023 Q4 1,999 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 1,321 1 0 757.0
2023 Q2 2,076 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 2,070 1 0 483.1
2022 Q4 2,080 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 2,000 1 0 500.0
2022 Q2 1,440 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 1,440 1 0 694.4
2021 Q4 1,680 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 1,612 1 0 620.3
2021 Q2 1,766 0 0 0.0
2021 Q1 1,920 0 0 0.0
2020 Q4 2,040 2 1 980.4
2020 Q3 1,704 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 1,628 1 0 614.3
2020 Q1 2,707 0 0 0.0
2019 Q4 2,723 1 0 367.2
2019 Q3 2,604 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 2,017 1 0 495.8
2019 Q1 2,188 1 0 457.0
2018 Q4 2,842 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 2,550 1 0 392.2
2018 Q2 2,597 0 0 0.0
2018 Q1 2,360 1 0 423.7
2017 Q4 2,898 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 3,012 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 2,871 1 0 348.3
2017 Q1 2,709 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 1,942 2 0 1029.9
2016 Q3 2,217 1 0 451.1
2016 Q2 2,224 1 0 449.6
2016 Q1 2,574 0 0 0.0
2015 Q4 2,652 1 0 377.1
2015 Q3 3,087 2 0 647.9
2015 Q2 3,020 0 0 0.0
2015 Q1 2,716 7 1 2577.3
2014 Q4 2,911 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 2,440 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 2,712 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 3,486 0 0 0.0
2013 Q4 3,635 1 0 275.1
2013 Q3 3,110 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 3,196 2 0 625.8
2013 Q1 3,400 1 0 294.1
2012 Q4 3,707 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 3,709 0 0 0.0
2012 Q2 3,763 1 1 265.7
2012 Q1 2,858 1 0 349.9
2011 Q4 2,680 0 0 0.0
2011 Q3 2,648 0 0 0.0
2011 Q2 2,124 4 0 1883.2
2011 Q1 2,016 2 1 992.1
2010 Q4 2,302 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 1,998 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 2,054 5 2 2434.3
2010 Q1 2,164 1 0 462.1
2009 Q4 2,362 1 0 423.4
2009 Q3 2,133 0 0 0.0
2009 Q2 2,259 2 0 885.3
2009 Q1 2,247 0 0 0.0
2008 Q4 1,699 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 2,029 1 0 492.9
2008 Q2 2,300 0 0 0.0
2008 Q1 3,187 0 0 0.0
2007 Q4 2,750 1 0 363.6
2007 Q3 2,946 1 1 339.4
2007 Q2 2,872 0 0 0.0
2007 Q1 2,708 2 0 738.6
2006 Q4 2,042 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 3,071 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 2,955 2 0 676.8
2006 Q1 3,006 2 1 665.3
2005 Q4 3,047 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 3,383 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 2,907 1 1 344.0
2005 Q1 2,786 1 0 358.9
2004 Q4 2,756 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 2,633 0 0 0.0
2004 Q2 2,511 0 0 0.0
2004 Q1 2,674 0 0 0.0
2003 Q4 3,270 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 1,981 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 434 0 0 0.0
2003 Q1 0 1 0
2002 Q4 0 0 0
2002 Q3 0 1 1
2002 Q2 1,055 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 3,382 2 1 591.4
2001 Q4 2,550 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 3,981 0 0 0.0
2001 Q2 4,162 0 0 0.0
2001 Q1 5,550 0 0 0.0
2000 Q4 5,824 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 4,663 1 0 214.5
2000 Q2 4,166 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 5,248 0 0 0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

3 on file

2024 · 1 incident

March 21, 2024 PA · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver OTHER
Superior Coal Preparation Co-Op LLC · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Driver was preparing to dump mine run. Loader operator noticed driver passed out leaning in passenger seat. Driver woke up & became coherent but vomited. Ambulance called and driver was taken.

2012 · 1 incident

August 13, 2012 PA · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Superior Coal Preparation Co-Op LLC · Struck against stationary object

Cut hand on piece of stainless steel went to emergency room for stitches returned to work

2011 · 1 incident