Key Takeaway

Sapphire Prep Plant is a nonproducing facility mine producing Coal, located in Whitesburg, Letcher County, KY. It has 517 violations on record (163 S&S) and $72K in proposed penalties. Operated by Smoky Quartz.

Sapphire Prep Plant

NonProducing Facility Coal

Operator: Smoky Quartz

Controller: John T Quintrell

Location: Whitesburg, Letcher County, KY

Employees: 1

517
Violations
163
S&S Violations
12
Accidents
$72K
Penalties

Recent Violations

View all 517 →
Date Section S&S Negligence Penalty
12/01/2025 77.216(c) Non-S&S $0
11/19/2025 77.216(c) Non-S&S HighNegligence $168
05/22/2025 71.403(c) Non-S&S ModNegligence $151
07/31/2024 50.20-1 Non-S&S ModNegligence $147
07/10/2019 77.216-3(a)(2) Non-S&S ModNegligence $121
01/09/2018 77.1608(a) Non-S&S ModNegligence $118
01/13/2016 77.502-2 Non-S&S ModNegligence $100
09/20/2012 77.1103(d) Non-S&S ModNegligence $100
09/20/2012 77.1103(d) Non-S&S HighNegligence $127
08/31/2012 77.205(a) Non-S&S ModNegligence $100
08/31/2012 77.205(a) Non-S&S $0
08/30/2012 77.513 Non-S&S ModNegligence $100
08/30/2012 77.516 Non-S&S LowNegligence $100
08/30/2012 77.205(a) S&S LowNegligence $112
12/29/2011 77.1104 Non-S&S ModNegligence $100
12/29/2011 77.404(a) S&S ModNegligence $1,026
12/29/2011 77.1606 S&S ModNegligence $540
12/29/2011 77.404(a) S&S ModNegligence $3,143
12/12/2011 77.1104 Non-S&S LowNegligence $100
11/23/2011 77.1710(a) S&S LowNegligence $100

Accidents & Injuries

View all 12 →
Date Classification Injury Days Lost
09/19/2023 MACHINERY DAYS RESTRICTED ACTIVITY ONLY 63d restricted
10/20/2009 POWERED HAULAGE NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None
10/27/2008 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None
05/27/2008 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) DAYS RESTRICTED ACTIVITY ONLY 14d restricted
03/12/2008 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None
03/17/2006 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None
08/18/2004 MACHINERY DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 7d lost
02/19/2004 NO VALUE FOUND DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 36d lost
09/20/2003 POWERED HAULAGE DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 130d lost
07/30/2003 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 193d lost

Inspections

View all 235 →
Begin End Hours Inspectors
02/25/2026 03/02/2026 16.00 1
11/17/2025 12/01/2025 26.00 1
06/03/2025 06/03/2025 5.50 1
05/22/2025 09/18/2025 34.00 2
03/07/2025 03/07/2025 10.00 1
12/16/2024 12/19/2024 14.00 1
04/11/2024 09/18/2024 15.00 2
10/02/2023 02/26/2024 35.00 2
04/18/2023 09/14/2023 26.00 1
11/01/2022 01/13/2023 21.00 1

Mine Details

MSHA Mine ID1512914
Mine TypeFacility
StatusNonProducing
CommodityCoal
SIC DescriptionCoal (Bituminous)
Employees1
Days/Week1.0
Hours/Shift0.0
Coordinates37.2036110, -82.8222220
Nearest TownWhitesburg

Frequently Asked Questions

How many MSHA violations does Sapphire Prep Plant have?

Sapphire Prep Plant has 517 MSHA violations on record, of which 163 are classified as Significant & Substantial (S&S). Total proposed penalties amount to $72K.

What type of mine is Sapphire Prep Plant?

Sapphire Prep Plant is a Facility mine producing Coal, located in Whitesburg, Letcher County, KY. It currently has 1 employees.

Has anyone been injured or killed at Sapphire Prep Plant?

According to MSHA records, Sapphire Prep Plant has 12 reported accident/injury records and 0 fatalities on file.

Who operates Sapphire Prep Plant?

Sapphire Prep Plant is operated by Smoky Quartz and controlled by John T Quintrell. MSHA Mine ID: 1512914.