Opinion ID: 2682690
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Factual Findings of the Mine Commission

Text: The facts as found by the Mine Commission are conclusive as Shamokin mounts no argument to show that they are not supported by substantial evidence. See 30 U.S.C. § 816(a). The ALJ specifically found that, “the Carbon Plant is a custom coal preparation facility that stores, sizes, dries and loads coal to make it suitable for subsequent industrial use.” App. at A25. The ALJ also determined Shamokin’s key witness “offered contradictory, inconsistent, and suspect testimony.” Id. Specifically, there was “an attempt by the owners to obstruct the amount of coal used by the Carbon Plant, the percentage of coal versus non-mined materials, and the actual nature and extent of its coal versus non-coal operations.” Id. The ALJ determined that Shamokin’s assertion that it was principally engaged in manufacturing coal products, rather than coal processing, was belied by the evidence: “over 6,000 tons of [Shamokin’s] product, ‘carb-o-cite,’ made of 100% anthracite coal, was sold in 2009, as compared to only a few tons of multiple products containing no coal or coal mixtures. . . . This Court noted that neither inspector . . . observed any mixing of coal with non-coal materials at the plant.” Id. at A26. The ALJ concluded that “[Shamokin] is storing large amounts of coal, screening it to remove impurities and ensure size quality, drying it, and loading it in bags appropriately sized to be sold in the stream of commerce.” Id. at A28. The Mine 8 Commission’s appellate body affirmed the ALJ’s decision as supported by “substantial evidence.” Id. at A36.