Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
State cites violations at mine in which miner died

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 1, 2006) – The Office of Mine Safety and Licensing (OMSL) has issued 11 closure and noncompliance orders against Tri Star Coal LLC in Pike County, where coal miner David Chad Bolen was killed in an accident on April 20.

The initial finding of OMSL investigators is that three of the violations contributed to the fatality – failure of the mine foremen to adequately examine the area of the accident before the work shift commenced and two violations of the mine’s approved roof-control plan, including the excessive spacing of roof bolts and the excessive width of a mine entry.

Inspectors found six other violations of the roof-control plan and a second instance of inadequate examination of the mine’s roof, face and ribs. There was one general closure order that shut down the mine for an investigation – a routine action in cases of a mine death or serious injury.

OMSL’s investigation is continuing. A final report will follow the investigation.

Bolen, 28, of David in Floyd County, was a shuttle car operator who had been working at Tri Star Coal for two months. He had three years’ mining experience.