Mining Incidents

Tyree Mine: 1,092 MSHA citations Coal

Cumberland, Harlan County, KY  ·  NonProducing
MSHA Mine ID: 1518361

Tyree Mine has $538K in proposed MSHA penalties and $199K outstanding across 15 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
33
Years on record
2003–2025
Latest incident
Jan 2025
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2001
1,092
citations
282
significant & substantial
$537,914
proposed penalties
$197,433
paid to date
37% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $340,481 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2001
130
inspections on record
10,231
inspection hours
10.7
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.
1,092 citations across 10,231 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.
1
Section 107(a) orders
Most recent order: 2023-04-03.
On record since 2023.
Source: MSHA imminent-danger order records, updated weekly.

Tyree Mine has $538K in proposed MSHA penalties and $199K outstanding across 15 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.
$538K
proposed penalties
$396K
current assessed
$197K
paid to date
$199K
outstanding
1,050 assessments are final orders; 15 contested dockets.
Of $239K in penalties contested before the Commission, $98K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-04-15.
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.
26.8%
significant & substantial
8.8%
high negligence or reckless
26.9%
reasonably likely or greater
9.1%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 9.6% low, 81.6% moderate, 8.7% high, 0.1% 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.
251 citations taken to the federal commission · 23% of citations on record
  • Settled 167 · 67%
  • Stood as issued 84 · 33%
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 71 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
59%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$239K proposed, $98K 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 2023-06-29.
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
KENT 2023-0107 Settlement Bulluck 2024 $101K → $14K
KENT 2019-0224 Settlement Paez 2019 $48K → $19K
KENT 2019-0279 Settlement Paez 2019 $44K → $23K
KENT 2019-0173 Default Paez 2019 $7K → $7K
KENT 2019-0162 Default Paez 2019 $7K → $7K
KENT 2018-0320 Default Lesnick 2018 $7K → $7K
Source: FMSHRC civil penalty dockets and decisions (public record), updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Tyree Mine shows 99% of 1,989 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: 2025-02-17
99%
within 1.5 mg/m3
1,989
samples
6.23
dust max (mg/m3)
12
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.
285 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 1,704 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
  • CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR600
  • SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR (STANDARD SIDE)592
  • ROOF BOLTER (TWIN HEAD) (RETURN SIDE)428

Silica (quartz)

Last sampled: 2025-02-21
9.6
silica avg (%)
101
samples
31.5
silica max (%)
Most-sampled occupations
  • CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR31
  • SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR (STANDARD SIDE)31
  • ROOF BOLTER (TWIN HEAD) (RETURN SIDE)22

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: 2025-02-14
1%
over PEL
201
samples
Most-sampled occupations
  • SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR (STANDARD SIDE)57
  • CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR27
  • ROOF BOLTER (TWIN HEAD) (RETURN SIDE)20
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
2025 100% 65
2024 100% 554
2023 99% 469
2022 99% 344
2021 100% 109
2020 97% 35
2019 99% 197
2018 99% 168
2004 100% 16
2003 88% 32
Silica (quartz) by year
Year silica avg (%) samples
2025 6.9 3
2024 7.5 32
2023 7.4 26
2022 16.9 9
2021 12.4 7
2020 2.9 1
2019 9.9 11
2018 11.1 7
2004 11.3 2
2003 19.6 3
Noise by year
Year over PEL samples
2025 0% 8
2024 2% 55
2023 0% 46
2022 0% 24
2021 0% 10
2020 0% 9
2019 0% 18
2018 5% 21
2004 0% 5
2003 0% 5
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.

Tyree Mine recorded 5.08 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2025.

Injury rate, 2025
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.
5.08
total case rate
5.08
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 3.19 and the all-US-mining average was 1.97 cases per 100 workers.
In Kentucky, coal mining averaged 4.08 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
2025 * 5.08 5.08 0.000
2024 2.92 1.94 0.000
2023 8.50 7.56 0.000
2022 4.43 3.32 0.000
2021 * 11.06 2.77 0.000
2020 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2019 * 14.76 7.38 0.000
2018 * 4.85 2.43 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
  1. Panther Mining LLC 2001 to 2017
  2. H & D Mining, Inc. 2003 to 2007
  3. Blackjewel L.L.C. 2017 to 2019
  4. INMET Mining, LLC. 2019 to 2023
  5. Bluegrass Natural Resources, LLC 2023 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)
2026 6
2025 17 43,805
2024 83 302,223
2023 86 270,365
2022 64 200,327
2021 26 123,806
2020 14 41,333
2019 31 69,908
2018 36 96,265
2008 0
2007 0
2006 0
2005 0
2004 11 8,414
2003 14 53,360
2002 0
2001 0
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

Tyree Mine sits in Harlan County, Kentucky, where the Census mining category is 4.3% 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.
Harlan County, Kentucky · Population 26,185
4.3%
Mining share of county employment
$37,198
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 3,329 2 0 600.8
2026 Q1 3,467 1 0 288.4
2025 Q4 1,415 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 2,033 3 0 1475.7
2025 Q2 3,539 2 0 565.1
2025 Q1 32,347 5 2 154.6
2024 Q4 39,476 25 1 633.3
2024 Q3 57,292 34 5 593.5
Show 50 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2 58,941 49 4 831.3
2024 Q1 50,032 22 4 439.7
2023 Q4 45,569 29 5 636.4
2023 Q3 60,809 54 10 888.0
2023 Q2 48,887 58 27 1186.4
2023 Q1 56,450 70 31 1240.0
2022 Q4 49,808 25 6 501.9
2022 Q3 63,128 16 1 253.5
2022 Q2 41,044 12 3 292.4
2022 Q1 26,796 9 1 335.9
2021 Q4 27,842 8 2 287.3
2021 Q3 26,586 13 3 489.0
2021 Q2 15,730 11 1 699.3
2021 Q1 2,142 0 0 0.0
2020 Q4 2,036 1 0 491.2
2020 Q3 1,855 5 1 2695.4
2020 Q2 2,320 7 0 3017.2
2020 Q1 28,339 16 1 564.6
2019 Q4 19,792 14 3 707.4
2019 Q3 298 1 0 3355.7
2019 Q2 10 96 19 9600000.0
2019 Q1 34,112 78 30 2286.6
2018 Q4 37,301 120 34 3217.1
2018 Q3 28,224 42 8 1488.1
2018 Q2 16,943 23 4 1357.5
2018 Q1 0 1 0
2008 Q1 0 0 0
2007 Q4 0 0 0
2007 Q3 0 0 0
2006 Q2 0 0 0
2006 Q1 0 0 0
2005 Q4 0 0 0
2005 Q3 0 2 0
2005 Q2 0 0 0
2005 Q1 0 0 0
2004 Q4 0 0 0
2004 Q3 0 0 0
2004 Q2 0 7 0
2004 Q1 4,705 46 19 9776.8
2003 Q4 4,700 71 27 15106.4
2003 Q3 4,327 41 16 9475.4
2003 Q2 1,016 5 2 4921.3
2003 Q1 0 0 0
2002 Q4 0 0 0
2002 Q3 0 0 0
2002 Q2 0 0 0
2002 Q1 0 0 0
2001 Q4 0 0 0
2001 Q3 0 0 0
2001 Q2 0 0 0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

33 on file

2025 · 1 incident

January 22, 2025 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator MACHINERY
Bluegrass Natural Resources, LLC · Struck by flying object

Employee was standing in an intersection when the continuous miner conveyor tail come into contact with the roof, which lodged a foreign obstruction into employee's eye. Employee was taken to an optometrist where they were then referred to an eye surgeon.

2024 · 4 incidents

October 28, 2024 KY · Coal superintendent DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Bluegrass Natural Resources, LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee has worked underground for 41 years. Employee has presented the company with a positive Chest Radiograph Classification form (B-reading).

August 12, 2024 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Bluegrass Natural Resources, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stated was packing tools across the section while doing maintenance. EE twisted knee and felt a sharp pain in the right knee.

April 10, 2024 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Bluegrass Natural Resources, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A non injury roof fall has occurred in the 1 right bleeder panel off the 2 NW Submains. The fall was discovered while doing a weekly exam. The fall is approximately 30ft long 18ft wide and 4ft thick. The fall is located at spad#698 in the #5 entry.

2023 · 10 incidents

October 2, 2023 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Bluegrass Natural Resources, LLC · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was kneeling down to pick up a belt rail and felt knee pop and felt a sharp pain in knee.

September 15, 2023 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Bluegrass Natural Resources, LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was standing in belt line entry preparing to belt up and was observing the area when a piece of the rib rolled out striking the employee on the right foot.

August 9, 2023 KY · Coal scoop tram operator, load/haul/dump operator ELECTRICAL
Bluegrass Natural Resources, LLC · Contact with electrical current

Employee was handling an energized cable and was shocked. Employee was released by Dr. on 08/10/2023 but did not return to work until 08/13/2023 due to company policies.

June 15, 2023 KY · Coal electrician, lineman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
INMET Mining, LLC. · Struck by flying object

Employee was attempting to align section belt just outby the section tailpiece. EE was hammering on a bottom roller hanger and a foreign object entered the corner of EE's eye underneath the glasses.

May 23, 2023 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
INMET Mining, LLC. · Struck by falling object

Moving a roll of belt

May 5, 2023 KY · Coal master mechanic, foreman, supervisor SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
INMET Mining, LLC. · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was attempting to cross the belt line and had one leg crossed over and they under estimated the distance to the mine floor while the other leg was still on the belt and their leg impacted the metal belt rail with all of their weight on that leg as their leg slid down the rail and this resulted in a torn muscle on the inside of the leg.

April 28, 2023 KY · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
INMET Mining, LLC. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was installing bottom rollers alone and when EE lifted the roller to place it in the hanger, EE felt a sharp pain in EE's back.

March 9, 2023 KY · Coal master mechanic, foreman, supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
INMET Mining, LLC. · Struck against stationary object

Employee was dragging a pull chain and while walking, they hit their head on a low area of the mine roof, resulting in a stubbed neck.

February 27, 2023 KY · Coal electrician, lineman POWERED HAULAGE
INMET Mining, LLC. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

The injured employee was sitting between two toolboxes eating lunch. A diesel scoop came up the roadway with a load of belt structure. As the scoop backed up into a crosscut the scoop hit a pothole in the floor and the scoop shifted over and hit the handle of the toolbox. This caused the toolbox to twist around pinning the employee's legs between the two toolboxes.

February 7, 2023 KY · Coal electrician, lineman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
INMET Mining, LLC. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was changing shuttle car tire. Employee put bar under tire to raise up tire and rim to place on wheel assembly. When employee pulled up on the lifting or pry bar, employee felt a pain in lower back and left groin area.

2022 · 4 incidents

November 2, 2022 KY · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
INMET Mining, LLC. · Struck against stationary object

GI employee helping load supplies onto roof bolting machine. The employee was wearing thin mechanic gloves. As the employee pulled a box of glue onto the machine EE hit EE's middle finger on EE's Rt. hand against a metal roof strap. This resulted in a laceration that required 5 sutures to close the wound.

October 19, 2022 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDLING OF MATERIALS
INMET Mining, LLC. · Fall to the walkway or working surface

The employee was in the No. 1 entry at Survey Station # 1149 pulling on water line when they slipped and fell landing on Right Arm and hand.

April 11, 2022 KY · Coal utility man, shift tech, service/dump truck operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
INMET Mining, LLC. · Struck against stationary object

EE was throwing trash from a scoop bucket to a loader bucket to be hauled to the dumpster. When doing so, EE grabbed a metal oil can lid with jagged edges. The lid cut EE's 5th digit on right hand.

April 7, 2022 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
INMET Mining, LLC. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE was standing in the intersection of the #4 entry. The bolt machine backed out and turned right handed sharply to go through 4 right. When doing so, the rear end of the bolt machine came around quickly. The bumper of the bolter went over top of EE's right foot, pinning it to the ground. Resulting in a fracture to the metatarsal bone in right foot.

2021 · 6 incidents

December 28, 2021 KY · Coal electrician, lineman DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
INMET Mining, LLC. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The last workday for the employee was 12/4/2019. The employee was diagnosed with (CT) Cumulative Trauma. The information was made available in the company on 12/28/2021.

December 28, 2021 KY · Coal electrician, lineman DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
INMET Mining, LLC. · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee's last work day was 12/04/2019. The employee was diagnosed with (CWP) Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis. The information was made available to the company on 12/28/2021.

October 21, 2021 KY · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
INMET Mining, LLC. · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was pulling a piece of belt with vise grips when the belt got caught on something, over extended EE's arm and shoulder causing a pop in EE's left shoulder and pain in EE's arm.

August 9, 2021 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
INMET Mining, LLC. · Accident type, without injuries

The roof fall happened at the face area on MMU 003, crosscut #17, in the #3 entry. The fall was directly outby the MRS machines and was approximately 40' long 6' thick and 12' wide. The reason for the fall is unknown.

July 14, 2021 KY · Coal examiner, fire boss, pre-shift examiner, mine examiner POWERED HAULAGE
INMET Mining, LLC. · Struck by flying object

Employee was picking up a mantrip with a loader, and the loader caught the mantrip shed door causing it to spring back striking the employees right leg.

July 10, 2021 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
INMET Mining, LLC. · Accident type, without injuries

A fall of roof occurred in the #2 entry at crosscut #2 along, 2 NW Submain. The fall is approximately 20ft. long by 20ft. wide by 8ft. long.

2020 · 1 incident

February 28, 2020 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
INMET Mining, LLC. · Accident type, without injuries

A non-Injury Roof Fall occurred in the No. 1 entry just inby x-cut No. 9 on the 003-0 MMU on the 1st Rt. Panel off the 2NW Mains during retreat mining trapping a Mobile Roof Support Machine (MRS).

2019 · 4 incidents

December 2, 2019 KY · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
INMET Mining, LLC. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS GETTING OFF OF A MAN TRIP OUTSIDE WHEN EE TWISTED EE'S LOWER BACK

May 7, 2019 KY · Coal electrician, lineman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Blackjewel L.L.C. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Mashed left ring finger while striking a waterline with a hammer. EE received pins and stitches on left hand for the injury

April 15, 2019 KY · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss STRIKING OR BUMPING
Blackjewel L.L.C. · Struck against stationary object

Employee walked into Roof bolt plate and it struck EE in the forehead.

March 12, 2019 KY · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Blackjewel L.L.C. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was re-changing a piece of high voltage cable when EE felt a sharp pain in the left shoulder.

2018 · 2 incidents

November 1, 2018 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) ELECTRICAL
Blackjewel L.L.C. · Contact with electrical current

Employee had a hand on the pinner when there was a power surge due to a storm. The surge blew a lightning arrester and sent the energy through the mine and through the roof bolting machine shocking the employee. Employee had pain in chest and left arm. EE was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure. EE was found to be in good health and released back to full duty.

July 4, 2018 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Blackjewel L.L.C. · Struck against stationary object

Employee was walking to shuttle car when EE hit head on the brow.

2003 · 1 incident

September 3, 2003 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)

PUSHING UP A BOLT. THE WRENCH TURNED AND MASHED LEFT HAND.