All MSHA-reportable accidents at Pocahontas Coal Company, LLC operations in 2025. Fatalities appear first.
A roof fall occurred in the primary escapeway on the #2 section outby the feeder line. the fall was approximately 19 feet wide by 24 feet long and 5 feet thick in the #6 entry at the #8 break on the #2A beltline in the orchard #1 mains.
Service hoist went down due to an input output card going bad. It caused the brakes to set the pump would run but not build pressure to release the brakes. replaced the card and had to have lake shore reprogram the over travel. finished work at 10:30 AM
input output card went down. The tips stuck in causing pressure to drop off accumulators. this caused the breaks to not release and fault the system out. The hoist was back operational at 10:10 PM on 07-18-2025
Had a bad storm. Lightning hit our network and resulted in taking the plc, the display, and a sensor out on the controls for the E hoist. Components were replaced and reprogrammed.
The top Sheave cluster bearing went down. a loud pop was heard, and hoist was stopped. upon investigation it was determined the bearing was down. hoist was taken out of service and all employees evacuated.
Ice buildup was found on the shaft wall. The company decided to take the hoist out of service due to the risk of the ice falling. The Hoist was put back in service at 11:15 AM on 01-26-2025.
Ice fell from the shaft wall damaging the landing switch, step and handrail. De icer was applied and all ice was removed from the shaft wall. The switch, step, handrail, and landing sensor were repaired. The hoist was operational at 9:10 PM
During the weekly test it was found that a bottom landing switch was not working. A camera was sent down the shaft and ice was found on the shaft wall. De-icer was applied and the ice was removed. The hoist was operational at 9:42 PM on 1-13-2025
On the # 2 section the injured employee was attempting to pull slack out of the section belt to make a splice when the pull plate failed striking them in the left arm. The employee sustained a fractured to the radius bone and a laceration.
The employee was in the #9 entry on the # 3 section. EE was scaling the mine roof when a rock measuring 3 inches thick by 34 inches wide by 16 inches long fell striking them on the right boot. The area was approximately 6 feet high and damp. the employee suffered a fracture to a small bone on the side of the right foot just below the ankle.
The employee was bolting in the 6 left entry after installing EE's outside bolt a rock measuring 36'' Long by 32 inches wide, and approximately 2 inches thick fell striking the employee on EE's hip and lower left leg. The area was approx. 6 ft high and damp. The employee has a fracture above EE's left ankle and a spine compression fracture.
Employee backed a 785-caterpillar rock truck over the dumping point on the south side of the mine. EE received 10 staples for a laceration above their right eye.
On12-18-2025 EE was traveling on 302-rubber tire ride on 10 belt, ran off the rail jarring left wrist. a lunate dislocation, an avulsion fracture of triquetral bone. on 01-15-2026 inserting Kirschner wires, 3 sutures, valor resting splint. prescribed pain meds accident has been under investigation. on 1-27-2026 medical information was obtained confirming a reportable injury.
The employee was making a splice on the welding cable at the section power center when the knife slipped and cut their left thumb. The employee received 4 stitches
The employee was on the #2 section installing a bolt 2 rows from the face of #5L. the entry was approx. 8' high and 18 ft wide. when the employee drooped the drill pot the 4' wrench fell striking them in the safety glasses causing a 1/2-inch cut below the left eye. the employee received 2 stitches.
Employee was hanging fly pads between #3 and #4 entry. While looking up driving a nail they experienced watering and burning sensation in the left eye. when the employee got home and inspected their eye, they decided to be seen by a medical professional the piece of metal was removed, and they were prescribed medicated eye drops. the area was approximately 8' high and damp.
The employee was in the #4 entry at 2 brk on 7 B belt. The employee used a grinder to try and cut a piece of synthetic sheave rope. the grinding wheel kicked back causing a 2-inch laceration to the employees left hand between the thumb and pointer finger. the area was approx. 5 feet high and dry. the employee received 5 sutures.
Individual was grinding welds with a grinder. A small piece of metal worked its way under the individuals safety glasses and face shield into their eye. Medical personnel removed the debris and prescribed Ophthalmic Ointment.
Employee was awarded 10% op claim
Employee was awarded additional 15 percent Op claim