Associated Press Published

January U.S. Mine Inspections Result in 138 Citations

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Federal inspectors issued 138 citations and four orders at U.S. mine operations in January.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration says the inspections were conducted at 11 coal mines and six other mines in 12 states, including Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia.

The impact inspections began in 2010 after the Upper Big Branch mine explosion in West Virginia killed 29 coal miners. Since April 2010, MSHA has issued 15,833 citations and 1,303 orders.

Mines targeted by the inspections are those that have compliance concerns or poor compliance history.