Coal Mining Co. Loses 11th Circ. Challenge To Safety Order

Warrior Met Coal Mining LLC had challenged the commission’s decision to affirm an administrative law judge’s decision that a U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration inspector was within his discretion to issue an “imminent danger withdraw order” to mine operator Jim Walter Resources, which had its assets bought by Warrior Met after filing for bankruptcy. The inspector issued the order after detecting a potentially explosive concentration of methane gas in a cavity of the coal mine, according to Thursday's order.