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Delinquent Mines An NPR investigation, together with the Mine Health and Safety News, found mines that fail to pay their penalties have increased injury rates and continue to operate dangerous operations.
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Delinquent Mines

Coal Mines Keep Operating Despite Injuries, Violations And Millions In Fines

This photo of Roy Middleton working underground at the Kentucky Darby mine now sits on the mantel in the Middleton home in Harlan County, Ky. He was killed after an explosion in 2006. Anna Boiko-Weyrauch/NPR/Original photo courtesy of the Middleton family hide caption

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Anna Boiko-Weyrauch/NPR/Original photo courtesy of the Middleton family

Coal Mines Keep Operating Despite Injuries, Violations And Millions In Fines

An NPR investigation found thousands of American mine owners fail to pay penalties for safety violations, even as they continue to manage dangerous — and sometimes deadly — operations.

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Miners At Risk Because Of Unpaid And Uncollected Fines

The injuries Jack Blankenship sustained after a 300-pound rock pinned him to the ground while working in a coal mine prevent him from sitting for long periods of time or walking far. He says he's in constant pain. Anna Boiko-Weyrauch/NPR hide caption

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Anna Boiko-Weyrauch/NPR

Miners At Risk Because Of Unpaid And Uncollected Fines

NPR probes the regulatory loophole that allows mine owners to ignore government regulators and operate unsafe mines. For years, the owners have failed to pay penalties even as workers are injured.

Miners At Risk Because Of Unpaid And Uncollected Fines

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Top Delinquent Mine Has Deadly Legacy

Outside the D&C Mining Corp. mine near Cranks, Ky. The company owes more than $4 million in unpaid safety penalties. Howard Berkes/NPR hide caption

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Howard Berkes/NPR

Top Delinquent Mine Has Deadly Legacy

In the eight years regulators didn't collect penalty fines from D&C Mining, it was cited 1,500 times for safety violations — including many that federal inspectors say put miners at serious risk.

Top Delinquent Mine Has Deadly Legacy

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Billionaire Spent Millions In Charity, But Avoided Mine Fines

Jim Justice owns Southern Coal Corp., which has 71 mines that have racked up thousands of violations and millions of dollars in fines. Scott Halleran/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Billionaire Spent Millions In Charity, But Avoided Mine Fines

Jim Justice, a West Virginia philanthropist and mine owner, gave away and invested more than $200 million while his mines failed to pay $2 million in delinquent mine safety penalties.

Billionaire Spent Millions In Charity, But Avoided Mine Fines

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Fines Don't Appear To Deter Mine Safety Violations

An NPR investigation found that mine workers are at greater risk of injury in mines that are able to avoid paying safety fines. Changes in mine safety enforcement could make penalties more effective.

Fines Don't Appear To Deter Mine Safety Violations

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Billionaire Gubernatorial Candidate Owes $15 Million In Taxes And Fines

West Virginia billionaire businessman Jim Justice announced his run for governor of West Virginia as a Democrat in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., on May 11, 2015. Chris Tilley/AP hide caption

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Chris Tilley/AP

Billionaire Gubernatorial Candidate Owes $15 Million In Taxes And Fines

Two years after an NPR investigation showed mines owned by Jim Justice failed to pay safety penalties, a new analysis shows he is the nation's top mine safety delinquent and owes millions.

Feds Probe Failure To Collect Mine Safety Penalties After NPR Report

The Labor Department's investigation follows an NPR/Mine Safety and Health News series about the failure of federal regulators to collect millions in safety penalties at the nation's mines.

Feds Probe Failure To Collect Mine Safety Penalties After NPR Report

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Regulators Take Action Against Delinquent Mines

In reaction to an NPR/MSHN investigation, federal regulators, a member of Congress and others are considering ways to crack down on mining companies that fail to pay delinquent mine safety penalties.

Regulators Take Action Against Delinquent Mines

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