The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Today's Front Page

June 30, 2010

Mapping step begins in Upper Big Branch probe

By Sarah Plummer Register-Herald Reporter

BECKLEY — Investigative teams began mapping the Upper Big Branch mine Tuesday, another step in the probe to determine what caused the massive April 5 explosion that killed 29 miners in the nation’s worst mine accident in 40 years.

Amy Louviene, public affairs representative for the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, said the teams did walk-throughs at Upper Big Branch last Friday and again Monday to make sure the mine was completely safe.

Tuesday, she said, “they are digging in deep.”

Louviene said the five teams would begin at different locations, mapping the mine toward the center and taking inventory of all debris.

She said it would be a month-long and tedious process in assessing the cause of the explosion.

The investigation will be continually evaluated.

“They are going to continue mapping the rest of  this week and they will evaluate the situation and continue from there,” Louviene said.

Separate photography, electrical and mine dust teams are expected to evaluate the mine later.

On Monday, Massey Energy filed a challenge claiming that MSHA was limiting and restricting investigative tools.

Louviene said Massey’s claim did not affect Tuesday’s investigative process in any way.

Also, “Massey investigators, who will accompany federal investigators during the course of the examination of the mine, can make suggestions to the sampling and photographic teams, and MSHA investigators will make every effort to accommodate their requests.”

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