LOUISVILLE — Kentucky's revamped system of enforcing coal-mine safety has drawn praise from miners' advocates but concern from industry officials.

        Although the new system has been in place less than a year, one mine-safety advocate has seen enough to be optimistic.

        “This is definitely an improvement over what we've had in the past,” said James Talbert-Slagle, an attorney for the Appalachian Citizen Law Center's Mine Safety Project. “There are better mechanisms to ensure miners are safe.”

        Tony Oppegard, general counsel for the Kentucky Department of Mines and Minerals, has filed eight complaints against alleged violators in the past six months. That far outpaces the rate at which the former state Mining Board sought to discipline violators.

        The General Assembly passed legislation creating a three-member Mine Safety Review Commission to handle enforcement, and a new Mining Board with seven voting members to administer the safety program.

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