Mining Incidents

Superior Surface Mine Coal

Coal Mac, LLC · Surface
Controlled by John Mitch Potter
Stirrat, Logan County, WV  ·  NonProducing
MSHA Mine ID: 4608838

Watch this mine

Email me when a new MSHA incident is filed at Superior Surface Mine.

Fatalities
0
Total incidents
35
Years on record
2004–2021
Latest incident
Oct 2021
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2004
390
citations
160
significant & substantial
$398,981
proposed penalties
$362,339
paid to date
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Quarterly safety rates
Citations per million employee-hours, as reported to MSHA
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2025 Q4 0 5 0
2025 Q2 10 0 0 0.0
2025 Q1 0 0 0
2024 Q4 0 0 0
2024 Q3 0 0 0
2024 Q2 0 0 0
2024 Q1 195 0 0 0.0
2023 Q4 0 0 0
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

35 on file

2021 · 1 incident

2019 · 4 incidents

November 21, 2019 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Lexington Coal Company, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was climbing down ladder of Cat 785 Rock Truck. When they stepped down foot landed on lump of coal twisting left ankle.

June 27, 2019 WV · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Lexington Coal Company, LLC · Struck against a moving object

Employee was removing laminated coal to expose coal seam with end loader bucket when they hit rock slinging them and injuring neck.

June 3, 2019 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Lexington Coal Company, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was climbing off of Rock Truck and when employee touched the ground felt something pull in the left side of back.

April 30, 2019 WV · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Lexington Coal Company, LLC · Struck against a moving object

Employee was operating endloader when the machine jerked causing pain in neck and shoulder. Employee visited family chiropractor who ordered x-rays which revealed mild degenerative disk disease with mild levoscoliosis.

2018 · 1 incident

August 27, 2018 WV · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Lexington Coal Company, LLC · Struck by flying object

Employee stated EE heard one of the back dual tires blow out. EE stopped to check and found a rock was in between the tires and had blown the outside tire. As EE got closer to the tires to inspect, the inner tire blew out and blew dust into EE's eyes.

2016 · 1 incident

August 22, 2016 WV · Coal outside foreman, leadman DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Highland Mining Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

In May of 2015 this employee retired from work. On 08/22/2016 this mine was notified that this employee had been diagnosed with Occupational Pneumoconiosis.

2015 · 1 incident

December 18, 2015 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Highland Mining Company · Fall from machine

Employee was fueling excavator and when EE turned to dismount EE slipped on tracks and fell to ground catching self with left hand and hurt left shoulder. EE continued to work until June 20th, 2016 where EE had surgery on shoulder.

2014 · 4 incidents

December 29, 2014 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Highland Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was getting into his service truck. When he grabbed his hand rail the wind blew his door shut and caught his right hand middle finger causing a laceration that required 5 stitches.

October 29, 2014 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Highland Mining Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was diagnosed with pneumoconiosis after 50 years of mining employment. Employee is still currently working as of 10/31/2014. Safety department was notified of this diagnosis on 10/29/2014.

August 12, 2014 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Highland Mining Company · Struck against a moving object

Employee was operating a 789 CAT truck when his load shifted causing the front of the truck to lift off the ground. The load slid out of the bed of the truck and the front of the truck came back down, jarring the operator. Employee sought medical attention that evening and was referred to a specialist. On 8/20/2014 the employee was taken off work by the specialist.

February 14, 2014 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Highland Mining Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee slipped while stepping out on the deck of a D-10R dozer. When he caught himself with the handrail, he felt pain in his right shoulder. He sought treatment to his shoulder on 3/12/2014 and was prescribed physical therapy 3x a week.

2009 · 2 incidents

January 25, 2009 WV · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Alex Energy Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee had just dinished loading a train. He raised up the freeze-proof bar and was holding the spindle crank to lock the wheel in place. He let go of the wheel and the lock slipped out causing the crank to spin and strike his left hand

January 2, 2009 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Alex Energy Inc · Struck against stationary object

Removing tooling from minor bogie pin. While setting down ram, cut right palm on metal on ram.

2008 · 2 incidents

November 23, 2008 WV · Coal welder (shop) MACHINERY
Alex Energy Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was using a cutting torch to cut the wear bars off the 5500 excavator bucket. The wear bar kicked back and hit him in the jaw and chin, cutting his face.

September 17, 2008 WV · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Alex Energy Inc · Fall from machine

EE mounted the coal loader on the operator side rear ladder steps. While attempting to walk around the rear of the loader to check oil on the offside, he lost his footing which caused him to fall to the ground.

2007 · 5 incidents

September 8, 2007 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Alex Energy Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Picked up blocks and positioned them on the ground and lowered pump onto blocks from boom.

September 4, 2007 WV · Coal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey OTHER
Alex Energy Inc · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee opened the lid on the power box at the fuel containment pump. He stuck his right hand in the box to turn the switch on and was bitten twice on the arm.

June 10, 2007 WV · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Alex Energy Inc · Struck against stationary object

Member was in process of removing hose from hose reel at containment area & struck his right arm against tine covering the container causing a laceration.

March 18, 2007 WV · Coal welder (shop) HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Alex Energy Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Member was using a pocket knife to cut a rag when he accidently cut his middle finger on his left hand.

March 8, 2007 WV · Coal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey STRIKING OR BUMPING
Alex Energy Inc · Struck against stationary object

Blaster helper was climbing into bulk truck, swung right leg up, struck top of knee on lower corner of step. Injury resulted in dislocating knee and deep abrasion.

2006 · 6 incidents

December 14, 2006 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Alex Energy Inc · Fall from machine

Member was dismounting a D10 dozer, when he slipped and fell.

October 19, 2006 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Alex Energy Inc · Fall from machine

Member was dismounting a D10 N dozer when he slipped and fell.

September 11, 2006 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Alex Energy Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Member was dismounting a 777 D Rock Truck, when his knee popped.

September 8, 2006 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman POWERED HAULAGE
Alex Energy Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was under truck watching mechanic adjust brakes. Truck began to roll forward and ran over the block. Employee moved from under truck but foot was run over. Treated at local ER - prescribed RX meds - restricted duty.

June 7, 2006 WV · Coal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Alex Energy Inc · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was climbing down steps. His foot slipped and he fell against fuel tank. Complained of pain to right knee and neck. Saw ER on 6/7/06. Returned to full duty.

March 10, 2006 WV · Coal welder (shop) MACHINERY
Alex Energy Inc · Contact with hot objects or substances

Member was using cutting torches when a pinhole developed in the oxygen hose. This caused oxygen to build up under his shirt. The oxygen ignited and a flame flashed out of the collar of his shirt, burning his face. He received benadryl and steroid shots-one each.

2005 · 3 incidents

August 22, 2005 WV · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Alex Energy Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

MIMEBER WAS PUTTING GREASE IN RIGHT SIDE TANK. HE SLIPPED AND FELL WHEN HE WAS CROSSING OVER TO THE LEFT SIDE TANK. HE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED UNTIL 9/8/05

June 13, 2005 WV · Coal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Alex Energy Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was working loading holes. He stepped in a hole and complained of back pain.

January 4, 2005 WV · Coal welder (shop) STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
Alex Energy Inc · Struck against stationary object

Employee stepped on a mud-covered board that had a nail in it. The nail penetrated his boot, puncturing his left foot. He went to the hospital and received a tetnus shot and an antibiotic shot.

2004 · 5 incidents

October 7, 2004 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Alex Energy Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE WAS SURVEYING & SLID OFF HILL & FELL.

July 14, 2004 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Alex Energy Inc · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS INSTALLING A SHORT DRIVESHAFT IN A 769 ROCK TRUCK WHEN THE DRIVESHAFT FELL STRIKING HIM ON THE LEFT HAND.

July 2, 2004 WV · Coal welder (shop) MACHINERY
Alex Energy Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Member was using a 4" hand grinder when it became fouled and kicked back causing a laceration to his lower left chin area.

May 24, 2004 WV · Coal electrician, lineman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Alex Energy Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE CUTTING TWINE WITH POCKET KNIFE, A DEAD END SHOE WAS DROPPED FROM A POWER POLE. THE SHOE HIT THE TWINE AND THE POCKET KNIFE WAS PROPELLED INTO THE LINEMAN'S FOREARM.

April 22, 2004 WV · Coal miner, prospector, nec SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Alex Energy Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS LEVELING SHEETING GIRTS ON THE OUTSIDE OF A HANDRAILED AREA, AND WAS UTILIZING 100% FALL PROTECTION. HE STRADDLED THE HANDRAIL TO CROSS BACK OVER TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR OF THE CRUSHER BUILDING. HE HOPPED TO THE FLOOR AND TWISTED HIS RIGHT ANKLE. THIS INJURY IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.