Massey Energy board promises thorough investigation, action in W.Va. coal mine disaster

Massey board pledges thorough W.Va. mine probe

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Massey Energy’s board says it’s committed to a thorough investigation of the explosion that killed 29 men at its Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia.

The board’s statement Thursday says it will do what’s necessary to fix problems uncovered by investigators. The April 5 blast is the nation’s worst coal mining disaster since 1970.

Federal and state mining regulators are investigating, and Gov. Joe Manchin has appointed a former top federal mining official to conduct an independent probe.

West Virginia mine safety chief Ron Wooten says investigators aren’t expecting to enter the mine until the week of April 26. The mine has to be safe and free of dangerous levels of gas before federal and state investigation teams can start looking for a cause.