State documents show several W. KY mines out of compliance with law

OHIO CO., Ky. (WFIE) - According to state documents, several mines are out of compliance with state law.

The law, KRS 337.200, is that all mines or construction companies under five-years old must file performance bonds for the state. This is in place in case the company were to go under, workers would still get paid.

The state documents list two mining companies in Ohio County, The Western Kentucky Coal Company, LLC and Western Kentucky Resources, LLC. They own the Genesis Mine and Midway Mine, respectively. And, one mining company in Muhlenberg County, The Muhlenberg County Coal Company, LLC, not in compliance with this law.

State documents show they appear to all be owned by Ohio-based energy company Murray Energy Company.

United States Postal Service says the notices were delivered on September 4.

Across the entire state, 1,000 workers would be affected. Here in the Tri-State area, the three mines employ more than 300 people. The majority of those workers are in Ohio County.

“It would be devastating to our workers," says Ohio County Judge/Executive David Johnston.

But the Judge/Executive tells 14 News he doesn’t think they’ll have a problem with those mines.

“They’re current on all the payments with the county," says Judge/Executive Johnston. "We have an occupational tax, and they’re current with those payments. So, I would hope that its an oversight or something they’ll be taking care of quickly.”

They’ll have to take care of it quickly. According to the notice, the LLC’s have 15 days from when they receive the notice to submit the performance bond, or they’ll face a penalty of $500 everyday they don’t file.

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