MSHA: Anonymous tips, surprise inspections led to 3 Massey mine evacuations since March 24

MSHA: Surprise checks caused 3 Massey evacuations

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Federal officials say they evacuated three Massey Energy coal mines in the past month after receiving anonymous complaints about dangerous conditions.

Three surprise inspections resulted in citations for what the Mine Safety and Health Administration calls serious violations.

An evacuation at Massey subsidiary Independence Coal Co.’s Cook Mine in Boone County, W.Va., came four days after an explosion at Massey’s Upper Big Branch mine killed 29 men.

MSHA says that on March 24, it also found serious problems at Spartan Mining Co.’s Road Fork No. 51 Mine in Wyoming County and Inman Energy’s Randolph Mine in Boone County.

Virginia-based Massey held a news conference Monday defending its safety record. It did not immediately comment Tuesday.