Tyranny 208, Workers 12

(editor's note: As of 1/4/06, a sole survivor has been rescued from the Sago Mine.)

Please join us as we send our prayers and thoughts deep underground in West Virginia where we need a miracle.

It goes without saying that methane levels in the mine were unsafe at the time of the explosion. We do not yet know what role was played by the 48 alleged safety violations or 208 citations filed by federal inspectors against the mine in 2005.

The following comes from the SF Chronicle. Note that the federal fine for a violation is $250.

ICG acquired the Sago Mine (pronounced SAY-goh) last March when it bought Anker West Virginia Mining Co., which was bankrupt. In 2004, the latest year for which figures are available, the Sago Mine produced about 397,000 tons of coal.

Federal inspectors cited the mine for 46 alleged violations of federal mine health and safety rules during an 11-week review that ended Dec. 22, according to records.

The more serious alleged violations, resulting in proposed penalties of at least $250 each, involved steps for safeguarding against roof collapses, and the mine's plan to control methane and breathable dust. The mine received 208 citations during 2005, up from 68 citations in 2004.

The state Office of Miners' Health Safety and Training issued 144 notices of violation against the mine in 2005, up from 74 the year before.