Coal mining boss put in charge of mine safety

A 38-year coal mining manager was named to head Kentucky's Division of Mine Safety, state officials announced Friday.

Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Charles Snavely said he had appointed John D. Small to the position, effective Monday.

The energy cabinet said Small is a native of Inez, Ky., and has worked in the coal-mining industry in Eastern Kentucky, most recently as vice president of Eastern Kentucky operations with Excel Mining, a subsidiary of Alliance Resource Partners LP. A news release said he retired in 2015.

State records show Excel Mining had two serious accidents since 2006 and hundreds of alleged federal Mine Safety Health Administration violations since 2011.

A news release said Small has "excellent management skills" and would bring "safety leadership" to the Division of Mine Safety.

He replaces former division director Frank Reed.

New mine safety boss was big GOP donor

At a public meeting in Hazard earlier this month, Gov. Matt Bevin complained that there are too many federal mining inspectors at coal mines in Kentucky.

Lexington mine-safety attorney Tony Oppegard said Kentucky has been diminishing its mine-safety program for years, and it appears that will continue.

"They will have a company guy running the agency, and that's exactly what miners can expect," he said.

Snavely said in an email that he could not immediately respond to questions about the appointment.

Bevin: 'I hired him because he's a coal man'

Small's appointment comes as Kentucky's coal production is at its lowest in 62 years. Coal mining fatalities have also declined as mines have been shut down.

The coal-mining industry set a record low of 11 coal-mining deaths in 2015, with Kentucky having two of those, according to The Associated Press. The state had as many as seven in 2011.

But Kentucky has had one mining death already in 2016, at a Western Kentucky mine owned by Alliance Resource Partners, AP reported.

Reach reporter James Bruggers at (502) 582-4645 or at jbruggers@courier-journal.com.

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