LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- A Harlan County coal mine where a miner was killed has been fined more than a half-million dollars.
The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration says operators of Manalapan Mining Co. Inc.'s P-1 Mine near Smith, Ky., failed to support the sides of rock pillars in locations in the mine, including where the accident happened.
The Courier-Journal (http://cjky.it/Mkvzkf ) reports MSHA said the mine also failed to identify and correct numerous other hazardous conditions involving the mine roof and pillars.
A section of rock that was nearly 7 feet long, 3 feet wide and 11 inches thick hit 49-year-old David A. Partin in the June 29, 2011, collapse of a mine rib, or pillar.
MSHA investigators issued five citations with total proposed penalties of $594,100. The company is contesting the fines.
