NEW YORK, June 15 (Reuters) - Massey Energy Corp, owner of the coal mine where 29 men died in a blast in April, said on Tuesday that mine safety regulators knew of cracks in the mine floor years earlier and made contradictory recommendations on preventing deadly methane gas leaks.
The company cited a July 15, 2004, report by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) regarding two previous methane outbursts at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia.
'Importantly, the report contained recommendations inconsistent with MSHA's recent handling of ventilation at UBB,' Massey said in a press release.
There was no immediate comment from MSHA, which is conducting an investigation of the April 5 blast that killed 29 miners at the Massey-run mine.
Massey said MSHA personnel internally discussed prior methane outbursts at UBB in July 2003 and February 2004 that occurred when cracks in the mine floor allowed methane to escape into the mine.
'MSHA personnel recommended that a number of steps be considered to address the potential for future outbursts,' the company said. The primary recommendation was for increased airflow to dilute the methane at the coal face.
'Contrary to the recommendation, MSHA in 2009 and 2010 mandated changes resulting in less air on the UBB longwall (coal face),' Massey said.
It said Chairman and Chief Executive Don Blankenship has written to the governors of West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia and Illinois pointing out that MSHA had, 'over the company's objection,' required decreased airflow at UBB prior to the April 5 explosion.
Massey said the underground teams at UBB last week did observe a crack in the floor. 'The teams were not able to explore the crack to determine if it was the source of a methane explosion.
'The crack and other potential sources in the mine need to be fully examined before any conclusions can be reached,' the company said.
(Reporting by Steve James; Editing by Steve Orlofsky) Keywords: MASSEY/ (steve.james@thomsonreuters.com; +1 646-223-6013; Reuters Messaging: steve.james.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
The company cited a July 15, 2004, report by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) regarding two previous methane outbursts at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia.
'Importantly, the report contained recommendations inconsistent with MSHA's recent handling of ventilation at UBB,' Massey said in a press release.
There was no immediate comment from MSHA, which is conducting an investigation of the April 5 blast that killed 29 miners at the Massey-run mine.
Massey said MSHA personnel internally discussed prior methane outbursts at UBB in July 2003 and February 2004 that occurred when cracks in the mine floor allowed methane to escape into the mine.
'MSHA personnel recommended that a number of steps be considered to address the potential for future outbursts,' the company said. The primary recommendation was for increased airflow to dilute the methane at the coal face.
'Contrary to the recommendation, MSHA in 2009 and 2010 mandated changes resulting in less air on the UBB longwall (coal face),' Massey said.
It said Chairman and Chief Executive Don Blankenship has written to the governors of West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia and Illinois pointing out that MSHA had, 'over the company's objection,' required decreased airflow at UBB prior to the April 5 explosion.
Massey said the underground teams at UBB last week did observe a crack in the floor. 'The teams were not able to explore the crack to determine if it was the source of a methane explosion.
'The crack and other potential sources in the mine need to be fully examined before any conclusions can be reached,' the company said.
(Reporting by Steve James; Editing by Steve Orlofsky) Keywords: MASSEY/ (steve.james@thomsonreuters.com; +1 646-223-6013; Reuters Messaging: steve.james.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.