The U.S. Department of Labor has released the results of the Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MSHA) second Pattern of Violations (POV) screening for 2024. Notably, none of the nation's mines met the POV criteria for violations under section 104(e) of the Mine Act, marking a first since 2021.
The screenings are designed to identify chronic violators among mine operators who disregard miners' health and safety. For two consecutive years, MSHA has conducted at least two POV screenings annually, highlighting its commitment to reducing fatal and serious accidents while improving compliance.
This announcement follows a comprehensive screening of all U.S. mines over a 12-month enforcement period ending November 30, 2024. Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson stated, "When the mining industry experienced a troubling increase in fatalities in 2023, MSHA actively led efforts to combat the trend, including enhanced enforcement like Pattern of Violations and impact inspections to improve compliance and focus on chronic violators." He added that mining fatal accidents decreased by 30 percent in 2024.
Under the Mine Act, a POV notice can be issued to any mine with significant and substantial violations. The process reviews all U.S. mines to identify those with high numbers of such violations or other compliance issues. Williamson noted that "MSHA’s POV screenings have helped improve compliance beyond just the mines that have met the screening criteria."
Two previous POV notices remain active: one issued on July 6, 2023, to Atalco Gramercy LLC for hazardous chemical accumulations at their Gramercy Operation in Louisiana; another on December 1, 2022, to Morton Salt Inc., concerning loose ground hazards at their Weeks Island Mine and Mill in New Iberia, Louisiana.
Following these notices, Atalco Gramercy received multiple withdrawal orders due to further violations during inspections. Similarly, Morton Salt was issued numerous orders after their notice.
Mines receiving a POV notice must address significant violations as directed by the Mine Act. Notices are terminated if no withdrawal order is issued within 90 days or if an inspection finds no S&S violations.
MSHA provides online tools for mine operators to monitor compliance through its Pattern of Violations Calculator and Significant and Substantial Calculator.
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