Arch Coal Inc.'s Dal-Tex mining complex has been cited by state regulators for improper disposal of oil waste, Division of Environmental Protection records show.

DEP Office of Mining and Reclamation inspectors issued a notice of violation to the Dal-Tex operation earlier this month for the problems.

Arch Coal subsidiary Hobet Mining operates the Dal-Tex complex near Blair, Logan County. It is one of the largest mountaintop removal mines in West Virginia.

State officials received a complaint from the U.S. Attorney's Office that alleged employees of a Hobet contractor, D&A Trucking, were dumping waste from a cleaning truck lot into a mined out area at Dal-Tex.

The complaint said that the waste included junk oil cans and rags, according to a DEP complaint investigation form. According to the form, the complaint to federal authorities was made by a D&A employee through Randy Sprouse, an environmental activist with the Coal River Watch group.

DEP investigation reports show that Hobet employees located and cleaned up the debris, but were not involved and did not know about its improper dumping.

However, a notice of violation was issued on Feb. 10 that cited the company for the problem.

The notice said Hobet "failed to ensure that all debris was disposed of in a manner designed to prevent potential contamination of ground and surface water."

The notice ordered Hobet to implement a sampling program to ensure no oil from the dumping ended up in streams, and to provide adequate disposal bins at the cleaning truck lot.

No fine has been levied yet for the incident.

Arch Coal Inc.'s Dal-Tex mining complex has been cited by state regulators for improper disposal of oil waste, Division of Environmental Protection records show.

DEP Office of Mining and Reclamation inspectors issued a notice of violation to the Dal-Tex operation earlier this month for the problems.

Arch Coal subsidiary Hobet Mining operates the Dal-Tex complex near Blair, Logan County. It is one of the largest mountaintop removal mines in West Virginia.

State officials received a complaint from the U.S. Attorney's Office that alleged employees of a Hobet contractor, D&A Trucking, were dumping waste from a cleaning truck lot into a mined out area at Dal-Tex.

The complaint said that the waste included junk oil cans and rags, according to a DEP complaint investigation form. According to the form, the complaint to federal authorities was made by a D&A employee through Randy Sprouse, an environmental activist with the Coal River Watch group.

DEP investigation reports show that Hobet employees located and cleaned up the debris, but were not involved and did not know about its improper dumping.

However, a notice of violation was issued on Feb. 10 that cited the company for the problem.

The notice said Hobet "failed to ensure that all debris was disposed of in a manner designed to prevent potential contamination of ground and surface water."

The notice ordered Hobet to implement a sampling program to ensure no oil from the dumping ended up in streams, and to provide adequate disposal bins at the cleaning truck lot.

No fine has been levied yet for the incident.