Pocahontas Coal Company, LLCMining Incidents in 2011

The mine fan became inoperational at approximately 8:20am due to transformer issues. All employees were withdrawn to the surface immediately. Mine fan was put back into service on 12/10/11 at approximately 5:40pm.

Elevator was not stopping at correct location at surface and underground. The wire going to the proximity sensors was damaged. this was corrected 9:43 am 10-19-2011

Service hoist became inoperative on 10/05/11 at approximately 12:05pm. Was taken out of service immediately. No employees were affected (no injuries or entrapments). The service hoist computer program system was reprogrammed, hoist was examined/inspected and put back into service on 10/05/11 at approximately 6:30pm.

A sensor malfunctioned and had to be replaced. Irwin replaced sensor and tested hoist. Placed back in service 9-29-2011

Elevator shaft was making contact with shaft wall at several locations between 70 and 200 feet from surface. This was deemed unsafe and taken out of service. Irvin const the installers of hoist repositioned the bottom frame to prevent this from occurring. Elevator was placed back in service at 7:08 AM 07/22/2011

Elevator in shaft #1 was taken out of service by hoist operator due to brake problems. He notified EE and he began to make Phone calls to EE who sent field techs out and evaluated the situation. He also gave instruction to evacuate men and called the State and Fed emergency hot line #s at 9:05 AM.

Two 16' steel jacks were being moved from the bottom of shaft 1 to the rib by IEE and two other men when EE felt a sharp pain in his groin area. He continued to work and said that he would get it checked out. EE continued to work until he was taken off work ( 8/18/2011)by his doctor for surgery to repair hernia in groin area.

A crew was trying to assemble a belt drive system. Discharge boom needed adjusted to align into drive frame. While adjusting, the discharge boom dropped striking an employee's left foot (fracture).

While installing a roof bolt with jack-leg drill (from under supported top), the opposite of side roof fell laterally across the entry. Material striking the drill caused the operator to be pulled forward and a rock struck him on right side of head/shoulder causing minor contusions and abrasions.