By AP
Frankfort, KY – The United Mine Workers of America union is raising new concerns about the safety of the Dotiki mine where two men were killed by a rock fall in April. UMWA Regional Vice President Steve Earle says non-union miners have been calling for increased scrutiny by government regulators since a second rock fall at the Dotiki mine May 23rd. The Oklahoma-based owners of the mine, Alliance Resource Partners, have not commented.
The initial rock fall April 28th killed 27-year-old Justin Travis and 28-year-old Michael Carter. No one was injured in the second rock fall that closed the mine for five days.
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration and the Office of Mine Safety and Licensing allowed the company to resume mining on May 28 after installing suplemental roof supports in the mine.