THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF MINES, MINERALS AND ENERGY HAS ISSUED NOTICES OF VIOLATION IN ONE OF TWO RECENT FATAL MINING ACCIDENTS IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA. THE OSAKA MINING CORPORATION MINE NO. 1 ROOF FALL APRIL 22ND CLAIMED THE LIFE OF 61 YEAR OLD DAVID SIZEMORE. THE MINING COMPANY RECEIVED A NOTICE OF VIOLATION FOR FAILURE TO CONTACT THE DIVISION OF MINES WITHIN 15 MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO DMME OFFICIALS, THERE WERE THREE OTHER VIOLATIONS ISSUED AS A RESULT OF PERSONNEL INTERVIEWS AND A SPOT INSPECTION OF A SECTION WHICH DIDN’T CONTRIBUTE TO THE ACCIDENT. THE MINE HAS SINCE RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATIONS. NO NOTICES OF VIOLATION HAVE BEEN ISSUED SO FAR AGAINST CONSOLIDATION COAL COMPANY’S BUCHANAN NO. 1 MINE AFTER A ROOF FALL IN JULY KILLED 44 YEAR OLD ELDEN MEADOWS. THE MINE IS STILL OPERATING, BUT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT HAS BEEN LEFT UNDISTURBED AS PART OF AN ORDER ON CLOSURE. INVESTIGATIONS ARE STILL CONTINUING AND A FINAL REPORT IS DUE LATER.