By Drew Adams
Murray, KY – A Southern Illinois coal-mining interest is facing a federal gender discrimination lawsuit having not hired any women since it began operations five years ago. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Marion-based Mach Mining yesterday. The lawsuit alleges many qualified women applied for work at Mach, but none were hired at the mining operation. Mach Mining has a workforce of more than 130 men. EEOC officials say while the number of women in mining remains far lower than their numbers in the general population, they have a right to be considered on qualifications and merits.