Mine had hundreds of violations - USATODAY.com
Federal inspectors spent 744 hours at the Sago Mine last year, compared with 405 hours in 2004, MSHA's McKinney said. 'An 84% increase in on-site hours shows that our folks were concerned and actually walked the walk,' McKinney said. After sections were closed, the mine operators had to correct problems before they could reopen those areas of the mine, he said.
In all, the Sago Mine received 276 violations in 2004 and 2005, including 120 that were considered 'significant and substantial.' During that time, the government sought $33,600 in fines. Of that, the companies paid $23,986.