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Margo Lopez

Ogletree Deakins’ Margo Lopez says she’s seeing an uptick in Mine Safety & Health Administration inspector misconduct of late. As Lopez describes: “It is sometimes former disgruntled employees as an inspector, or sometimes people just having the wrong mindset to be out there in the field.” Photo: Pit & Quarry

Roundtable attendees talk MSHA inspections (Part 2)

In a discussion at the Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference, industry leaders shared their experiences of late with the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA). Keep Reading

Mike Heenan, who wrote the monthly “MSHA & The Law” column appearing in Pit & Quarry from 1996 to 2017, was a preeminent authority on mine safety law.

Remembering Mike Heenan, a mining industry advocate

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The mining community lost a great friend and advocate this month with the passing of Mike Heenan, a longtime Pit & Quarry columnist who was a preeminent authority on mine safety law. Keep Reading

Ogletree Deakins’ Margo Lopez does not expect any new rules to emerge from the Mine Safety & Health Administration under the second Trump administration, although she cautions the industry by saying “never say never.” Photo: Pit & Quarry

Lopez looks ahead on MSHA enforcement, rulemaking

Ogletree Deakins’ Margo Lopez discussed Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) developments early this year at the Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference. Keep Reading

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Eleventh 2025 mining fatality reported as first quarter ends

The Mine Safety & Health Administration last reported a fatal accident March 28. Keep Reading

Aggregate producers may see rulemaking on powered haulage safety in 2020, perhaps incorporating requirements for deploying new tech into current safety standards. Photo: P&Q Staff

What’s next for MSHA amid government dismantlement

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The current downsizing of the federal government bears watching, but mine operators should continue with their efforts to maintain safe workplaces. Keep Reading

From left: Pit & Quarry managing editor Jack Kopanski moderates a producer panel comprised of Duff Quarry’s Ross Duff, Luck Stone’s Raymond Slaughter and US Aggregates’ Kristin Sweeney. Photo: P&Q Staff

P&Q Roundtable returns with Arizona meeting

The annual Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference brought industry leaders to Phoenix for education and networking. Keep Reading

Photo: izusek/E+/Getty Images

How to handle mine inspector misconduct

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Most mine inspectors with the Mine Safety & Health Administration do act professionally on mine sites, but there are exceptions. Keep Reading

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How MSHA, mine safety should be reshaped in 2025

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Ogletree Deakins’ Bill Doran and Margo Lopez present a wish list for the new year related to the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) and mine safety overall. Keep Reading

The Mine Safety & Health Administration's illumination standard at 30 C.F.R. §56.17001. That standard requires “illumination sufficient to provide safe working conditions [that] shall be provided in and on all surface structures, paths, walkways, stairways, switch panels, loading and dumping sites, and work areas.” Photo: ictor/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

Shedding light on MSHA’s illumination standard

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Given the subjective nature of this Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) standard, mine personnel sometimes feel inspectors make things up as they go. Keep Reading

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