Cordero Mining Ordered To Pay In Whistleblower-Retaliation Case

A Gillette based mining company is ordered to pay a $40,000 civil penalty for wrongfully discharging a miner after the worker filed  safety complaints.

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According to the U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration, Cordero Mining LLC was ordered to reinstate, Cindy L Clapp, a shovel operator with 28 years of experience, after wrongfully firing her.

Clapp filed a complaint last May alleging the company fired her for her repeated safety complaints.

According to a release from the labor department, Clapp also claimed Cordero's lack of concern over safety issues raised by mine workers and her unlawful discharge had a "chilling effect on the willingness of other miners to raise safety issues."

The Administrative Law Judge deciding the case ordered Cordero to abide by the Mine Health and Safety Act of 1977 that guarantees a miners right to identify hazardous conditions without fear of retaliation and to pay the $40 thousand dollar civil penalty.

Cordero has appealed the decision.