K and D Mine 17

This article is part of the Coal Issues portal on SourceWatch, a project of Global Energy Monitor and the Center for Media and Democracy. See here for help on adding material to CoalSwarm.

K and D Mine 17 is a coal mine in Highsplint, Kentucky operated by K and D Mining.

Mining violations

In May 2012, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration found numerous safety hazards at the mine, prompting its closure for nine days. Violations included little or no ventilation where miners were working; thick accumulations of coal dust that can cause black lung and explosions; a broken methane warning light; conveyor belts covered in combustible coal dust as deep as 9 inches and rubbing against metal; and a mining machine with 22 electrical hazards and clogged water sprays. Kentucky regulators are investigating whether to revoke the licenses of the mine operators. Mine 17 operators Ralph Napier and John D. North formerly operated Kentucky Darby Fork No 1 Mine in Harlan County, where a 2006 blast killed five miners.

Mine Data

• MSHA ID:
• Operator: Ralph Napier, John D. North, and Jack H. Ealy. Napier
• Controller: K and D Mining
• Union:
• County: Harlan
• State: KY
• Latitude:
• Longitude:
• 2007 Production (short tons):
• Coal Type: Bituminous
• Mining Method: Underground
• Mine Status: Active
• Average No. of Employees:

Articles and resources

Related SourceWatch articles

• Kentucky and coal
• U.S. coal politics
• Coal and jobs in the United States
• Coal phase-out
• Headquarters of U.S. coal mining companies
• Global list of coal mining companies and agencies
• Proposed coal mines
• Existing U.S. Coal Plants
• Coal

To see a listing of coal mines in a particular state, click on the map:

External links

• "Major U.S. Coal Mines," Energy Information Administration