US Department of Labor finds none of nation’s 12,000 mining operations met criteria for pattern of violations in fiscal year 2026

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today that none of the nation’s 12,000 mining operations met the criteria for a pattern of violations notice, one of the agency’s toughest enforcement tools.In MSHA’s annual screening of operations from Oct. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2026, the agency found no pattern of violation notices. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 includes the pattern of violations provision for mines with a recurring pattern of significant and substantial violations – those that are reasonably likely to result in a serious injury or illness – and other safety and health compliance problems. If a mine receives subsequent S&S violations after being placed on POV, MSHA is authorized to withdraw miners from the affected area of the mine.“Under this administration MSHA remains committed to objectively calling balls and strikes in enforcement, including issuing POV notices when warranted,” said Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Wayne D. Palmer. “For the third year in a row, no mine received a POV notice which, combined with the lowest-ever all-injury rate in 2025, signals contin...