Crews resume exploration of W.Va. coal mine where 29 men died in explosion

Exploration of W.Va. coal mine resumes

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two teams of Massey Energy and government employees have resumed exploring a West Virginia mine where 29 men died in an explosion last month.

Massey says the teams went back into the Upper Big Branch mine Wednesday afternoon. Hours earlier, they had turned back after venturing into the mine for the first time since rescuers recovered the last of the dead in early April.

Massey says an analysis of air samples taken during the morning visit showed it was safe to go back underground.

Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration spokeswoman Amy Louviere says the teams got about 1,000 feet into the mine on the first try. They left when handheld meters registered potentially elevated levels of carbon monoxide and methane gas.