UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
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April 12, 2011
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JAMES RIVER COAL COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
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Virginia
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000-51129
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54-1602012
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(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
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(Commission
File Number)
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(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
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901 E. Byrd Street, Suite 1600, Richmond, Virginia
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23219
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
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(Zip Code)
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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
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(804) 780-3000
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Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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o
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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o
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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ITEM 8.01
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OTHER EVENTS
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On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Act") was enacted. The Act contains new reporting requirements regarding mine safety, including disclosing on a Current Report on Form 8-K the receipt of a written notice from the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration ("MSHA") of a pattern of violations at a coal mine under section 104(e) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the "Mine Act").
On November 18, 2010, Bledsoe Coal Corporation, a subsidiary of James River Coal Company, received written notification that a potential pattern of violation exists at its Abner Branch Rider Mine. On April 12, 2011, MSHA notified Bledsoe Coal Corporation that a Pattern of Violation (POV) exists at its Abner Branch Rider Mine. As a result, within 90 days of the POV notice, if MSHA finds any violation of a mandatory health or safety standard that could significantly and substantially contribute to the cause and effect of a coal or other mine safety or health hazard, MSHA shall require all persons in the areas affected by such violation, except those persons referred to in Section 104(c) of the Mine Act, to be withdrawn from, and to be prohibited from entering such area until MSHA determines the violation has been abated. The POV notice will terminate if, upon inspection of the entire mine, MSHA finds no S&S violations of mandatory safety and health standards. The Abner Branch Rider Mine produced approximately 220,000 tons in 2010. The POV could have a significant impact on the operations of that mine.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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JAMES RIVER COAL COMPANY
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Samuel M. Hopkins II
Samuel M. Hopkins II
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
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Date: April 15, 2011