(a) Any order or decision issued by the director under this law, is subject to judicial review by the circuit court of the county in which the mine affected is located upon the filing in such court or with the judge thereof in vacation of a petition by any person aggrieved by the order or decision praying that the order or decision be modified or set aside, in whole or in part, except that the court shall not consider such petition unless such person has exhausted the administrative remedies available under this law and files within thirty days from date of such order or decision.
(b) The party making such appeal shall forthwith send a copy of such petition for appeal, by registered mail, to the other party. Upon receipt of such petition for appeal, the director shall promptly certify and file in such court a complete transcript of the record upon which the order or decision complained of was issued. The court shall hear such petition on the record made before the director. The findings of the director, if supported by substantial evidence on the record considered as a whole, shall be conclusive. The court may affirm, vacate or modify any order or decision or may remand the proceedings to the director for such further action as it may direct.
(c) In the case of a proceeding to review any order or decision issued by the director under this law, except an order or decision pertaining to an order issued under subsection (a), section fifteen of this article or an order or decision pertaining to a notice issued under subsection (b), section fifteen of this article, the court may, under such conditions as it may prescribe, grant such temporary relief as it deems appropriate pending final determination of the proceedings if:
(A) All parties to the proceeding have been notified and given an opportunity to be heard on a request for temporary relief;
(B) The person requesting such relief shows that there is a substantial likelihood that the person will prevail on the merits of the final determination of the proceeding; and
(C) Such relief will not adversely affect the health and safety of miners in the coal mine.
(d) The judgment of the court is subject to review only by the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia upon a writ of certiorari filed in such court within sixty days from the entry of the order and decision of the circuit court upon such appeal from the director.
(e) The commencement of a proceeding under this section shall not, unless specifically ordered by the court, operate as a stay of the order or decision of the director.
(f) Subject to the direction and control of the attorney general, attorneys appointed for the director may appear for and represent the director in any proceeding instituted under this section.
Structure West Virginia Code
Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training
Article 1. Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training; Administration; Enforcement
§22A-1-1. Continuation of the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training; Purpose
§22A-1-3. Director of the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training
§22A-1-4. Powers and Duties of the Director of the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training
§22A-1-5. Offices Continued in the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training
§22A-1-6. Director's Authority to Promulgate Rules
§22A-1-8. Mine Inspectors; Regions and Districts; Employment; Tenure; Oath
§22A-1-10. Mine Inspectors May Be Appointed to Fill Vacancy in Division
§22A-1-13a. Study of Mine Inspector Qualification, Compensation, Training and Inspection Programs
§22A-1-15. Findings, Orders and Notices
§22A-1-17. Review of Orders and Notices by the Director
§22A-1-23. Records and Reports
§22A-1-25. Duties of Mine Foreman Examiner
§22A-1-26. Place and Time for Examinations
§22A-1-28. Certificates of Qualification Heretofore Granted
§22A-1-29. Mine Foreman Examiner to Certify Successful Applicants to Director
§22A-1-30. Record of Examination
§22A-1-31. Withdrawal of Certification
§22A-1-33. Mine Rescue Stations; Equipment
§22A-1-36. Mandatory Safety Programs; Penalties
§22A-1-37. Certification of Surface Mine Foremen
§22A-1-39. Reciprocity of Mine Foreman Certification and Experienced Miner Certification
§22A-1-40. Reporting Violations, Accident Investigations; Witness Interviews
§22A-1-41. The Coal Jobs and Safety Act of 2015; Legislative Findings
§22A-1-42. Surface Ground Control Plan; Automated External Defibrillator
§22A-1-43. Hold Harmless Clause; Decision to Enter Mine
§22A-1-44. Temporary Exemption for Environmental Regulations