“Daily updated mining exploration news on coal mining” —-The federal government agency that regulates mining says it stands behind the $1.5 million in fines it levied last month against a coal producer now suing it.

American Coal Co.’s lawsuit against the Mine Safety and Health Administration was filed in East St. Louis and accuses the U.S. Labor Department agency of abusive monitoring and issuing citations to satisfy quotas.

Last month’s fines were for alleged safety violations at American Coal’s Galatia mines in southern Illinois.

The company is part of Ohio-based Murray Energy, whose owner gained attention last year when nine people died in a Utah mine.

MSHA spokeswoman Amy Louviere says the agency stands strongly behind its action against American Coal “and will not be deterred from protecting miners’ lives.”

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