89% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $143,139 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
453
inspections on record
33,538
inspection hours
4.7
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.
1,575 citations across 33,538 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
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
$1.2M
current assessed
$1.2M
paid to date
$44K
outstanding
1,503 assessments are final orders; 52 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-05-11.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.
Thunder Basin Coal Company LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object
The technician was assisting in moving a 2800 P&H shovel when the machine lost propel capabilities. The machine then rolled in reverse striking the pickup driven by the technician causing fatal injuries.
February 20, 2003WY · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorFatality · SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thunder Basin Coal Company LLC · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)
AFTER OVERSEEING THE ACTIVITIES OF CONTRACTORS WORKING ON THE BELT 614 LEVEL, EMPLOYEE LEFT AND WENT UP THREE FLIGHTS OF STAIRS TO THE 612 BELT LEVEL WHERE THE ELEVATOR TO THE SURFACE WAS LOCA TED. WITHIN A MINUTE OR TWO OF LEAVING, HE FELL THROUGH A 4X4 OPENING THAT HAD BEEN USED TO LOWER PARTS. THE HOLE HAD FLAGGING AT ALL ENTRIES AT LEAST 4' FROM THE EDGE. HE FELL 19' TO THE BEL
February 20, 2002WY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerFatality · FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Thunder Basin Coal Company LLC · Struck by falling object
EE WAS CLEANING UP AROUND THE 8 SHOVEL. EYEWITNESS SAYS "A LARGE ROCK CAME DOWN AND HIT THE 86 DIRECTLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROPS...SMASHING THE CAB." EE WAS KILLED INSTANTANEOUSLY BY THE IMPACT ACCORDING TO THE DEPUTY CORONER.
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