Gas, Dust Blamed in 2010 Massey Mine Blast, U.S. Says
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A small ignition of methane gas combined with a buildup of coal dust inside Massey Energy Co.’s Upper Big Branch mine triggered the April explosion that killed 29 miners, the Obama administration said today.
Massey was running the mine’s main coal-cutting machine without all the water sprayers that help tamp down the combustible dust and douse small methane ignitions to prevent explosions, the Mine Safety and Health Administration said today on a conference call with reporters. The explosion in West Virginia was the worst U.S. mine accident in 40 years.