Unverified assertion confirmed: report reveals safety agency neglected to inspect mines in Pacific territories amid allegations.

In a series of events spanning several years, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has come under fire for incorrectly classifying active mines in Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands as "new mines." This oversight, which has persisted from 2016 to 2023, has raised concerns about the safety and health of miners working in these territories.

The Office of Special Counsel, in response to disclosures from two whistleblowers within MSHA, issued an alert memorandum in November 2024, stating that the agency was not conducting mandatory inspections in the Pacific territories and was improperly classifying the mines' statuses. The memorandum contained 11 recommendations for MSHA, including revising and implementing a plan for inspecting mines in the Pacific territories and correcting the mine statuses.

Had MSHA accurately reported that its mandatory inspection percentage was less than 100%, it could have used the information to support a budget request that would enable MSHA to conduct mandatory inspections and protect the Pacific territories' miners. However, the agency's actions have not been publicly addressed by the nominated special counsel, Paul Ingrassia, who was appointed by President Donald Trump.

The lack of inspections in the Pacific territories is particularly concerning, given that underground mines must be inspected by federal investigators at least four times a year, and surface mines must be inspected twice annually. The IG report did not mention any response from MSHA regarding the 11 recommendations.

The situation has not gone unnoticed by Congress, which uses MSHA's public data, acknowledging that it is intentionally erroneous, when considering congressional appropriations and budgetary decisions with taxpayer funds. Whistleblower groups and congressional Democrats have objected to Ingrassia's nomination, arguing that he would not protect whistleblowers from political retribution.

In December 2023, the acting manager in MSHA's Vacaville, California, district directed an employee to label the mines as abandoned, but the employee refused, and another agency official changed the mines' statuses. This incident further highlights the need for transparency and accountability within MSHA.

In light of these events, former assistant Labor Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Christopher J. Williamson wrote that the agency had requested additional resources as part of the president's fiscal 2026 budget to conduct mine inspections in the Pacific territories. Charles N. Baldis, senior counsel and designee of acting Special Counsel Jamieson Greer, criticized MSHA's plan for not starting inspections in the Pacific mines until fiscal 2027 and for not fixing its reported compliance numbers.

As the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial for MSHA to address these concerns and prioritize the safety and health of miners in all territories. The agency's actions have been criticized for putting miners at risk and being inconsistent with its mission to prevent death, illness, and injury from mining. The Office of Special Counsel encourages agencies to provide monetary awards to employee whistleblowers, especially if their disclosures lead to cost savings.