According to the Utah Office of Coal Mine Safety, Dugout Canyon mine has been closed due to a subversive fire. The mine is located 18 miles from north of Price.

The mine’s Agency Director, Peter Hackford, told that the increase in the carbon monoxide levels forced the team to shift. The mining site has as many as 275 employees working in it.

Hackford explained that the basic problem has been initiated from a smoldering coal seam. It not only posed a serious threat on the lives of the workers but also affected their efficiency.

Mine Safety and Health Administration sent across a warning to the mine workers, directing them to vacate the site to avoid the excessive heating.

A spokeswoman at St. Louis-based Arch Coal Co. the proprietor of Dugout told that the conditions are being scrutinized at the mine.

Massey Energy Co. has filed a lawsuit against the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, alleging that the agency failed in issuing the guidelines.

"The goal of the lawsuit is pretty simple. It's to retain some control of the ventilation plans our mines operate under", said Shane Harvey, Massey's general counsel.

Amy Louviere, an MSHA spokeswoman Amy Louviere, an MSHA spokeswoman, added that the agency will not offer any opinions on the lawsuit, as of now.