Mar 8 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Spencer Hunt The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio

An Ohio mining company that spilled coal waste into a Belmont County creek last week was cited by state mine regulators.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources officials this week cited the Ohio Valley Coal Co. for allowing coal slurry -- water contaminated with coal dust -- to get into Captina Creek from a large holding pond.

The slurry blackened the stream for 10 miles on its way to the Ohio River.

The company also was cited for three violations involving pollution from smaller holding and sediment ponds that drained to the stream, said Dave Clark of the Division of Mineral Resources Management.

The company faces fines and orders to prevent future spills. Clark said his agency continues to investigate how the spill occurred. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. EPA also are investigating.

A broken pipeline leading from a sister American Energy Corp. mine fouled 2,300 feet of the creek in 2005 and killed thousands of fish. The creek is home to the endangered eastern hellbender salamander, as well.

American Energy cleaned the stream and paid a $50,000 fine to the Ohio EPA after the 2005 spill. It also paid a $9,682.65 fine to the Department of Natural Resources for loss of wildlife.

Ohio Valley Coal Co. officials did not return calls for comment yesterday.

A statement released Wednesday by company Vice President Rob Murray said shifting slurry got into a line that was supposed to pump clear water off the top of the holding pond.

shunt@dispatch.com

Coal slurry blackened a Belmont County stream for 10 miles on its way to the Ohio River.