The West Virginia coal mine where 13 miners remained trapped underground on Tuesday reportedly has a lengthy list of roof collapses and safety violations. In 2004, the Sago Mine, near Tallmansville, W.Va., reported an injury rate that was three times that of similar-size underground mines across the country, the Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette reported. U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration data shows that during the last six months of 2005, the mine also reported a dozen accidental roof falls, the newspaper said. During their last three complete examinations of the Sago Mine, MSHA inspectors cited the company for more than 180 violations. Monday morning, there was an explosion at the mine and while six miners escaped, 13 others were trapped 260 feet below the surface. Rescuers were disheartened Tuesday when high levels of carbon monoxide were detected through an emergency bore hole into the shaft. In mid-November, the International Coal Group purchased the mine from the Anker West Virginia Mining Co. © Copyright 2006 by United Press International

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