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Performance Coal Company Upper Big Branch Mine-South Massey Energy Company Mine ID: 46-08436 |
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Upper Big Branch Mine Re-entry Plan
June 1, 2010
- Rescue teams have been mobilized at Upper Big Branch Mine and are preparing to go underground on Wednesday, June 2, between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Their intention originally was to conduct a quick investigation around the longwall to make sure there is no fire or heating event. However, a projected borehole has not penetrated the mine, keeping the rescue teams from advancing to the longwall. They will be allowed to work in the area closer to the surface and will likely begin pumping water out of the mine. After the borehole has penetrated the mine, rescue teams will then be allowed to advance to the longwall area. All boreholes and fans will be monitored while personnel are underground. After MSHA is confident that no fire or heating exists in the longwall area, a complete and thorough examination of the entire mine will be conducted. Once the examination has taken place, the accident investigation will begin.
- The first of two mine rescue teams, mobilized since yesterday, proceeded underground at approximately 9:45 a.m. EDT at the Ellis Portal. The second team entered the North Portal at 9:55 a.m. Both teams advanced approximately 1,000 feet but were forced to exit the mine at approximately 10:45 a.m. after hand-held readings indicated potentially elevated levels of carbon monoxide and methane. Bottle samples were taken to confirm the hand-held readings, the results of which should be available within a couple of hours.
- Around 5 p.m., the teams had met from both directions of exploration, the phone line has been looped and the teams will be exiting the mine at this time. The company has proposed to re-enter Friday morning for the next exploration phase to the longwall.
- Drilling of the 12-H borehole ceased yesterday when high methane was detected. A plan was submitted for ventilating the hole, along with safety precautions for those working in the area of the drill, which was approved later that evening. The drilling was expected to resume overnight after the hole was ventilated, with about 300 ft. remaining to intersect the mine. At this time, plans are for re-entry in the mine on Monday.
- Mine rescue teams entered the North and South Portals around 8:15 am to explore outby areas. They found no elevated gas readings and are following the prescribed plan for re-entry and exploration. The teams examined the #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 sets of seals and reported no problems. By 4:30 p.m., exploration had been completed and both teams were out of the mine.
Teams entered the mine at the North Portal around 8 a.m. EDT. They are exploring in the North Mains area and seal sets along the North Mains. No issues of significance have been identified at this time.- Teams entered the mine at the North Portal around 8 a.m. EDT. They explored in the North Mains area and seal sets along the North Mains. As of 1 p.m. EDT, teams continued to explore in North Mains. Seal sets #6 and #7 have been examined and no issues of significance have been identified at this time.
- Teams explored Seal Set #13 and outby to Ellis Portals. They exited the mine at about 7:15 p.m. No issues were identified.
- 4:30 p.m.
Teams have explored the longwall face and explored portions of the connector entries between 22 Headgate and Tailgate entries. The longwall tailgate entries are also being explored. No significant issues have been identified. - 2:30 p.m.
Teams have explored the longwall face and explored portions of the connector entries between 22 Headgate and Tailgate entries. The longwall tailgate entries are also being explored. No significant issues have been identified. - 12:30 p.m.
The teams have advanced to the longwall. They are exploring down the longwall face from the headgate. No significant issues have been identified. - 09:30 a.m.
This morning at 7:44 teams again entered the mine, proceeding to Ellis Switch en-route to the longwall.
- 8:00 p.m.
The pumping crew exited the mine at about 7:15 pm due to storms within a 30 mile radius. Pumping using air lines will continue through the weekend with teams entering the mine to maintain the de-watering.
Exploration teams plan to re-enter the mine Monday. - 4:30 p.m.
All exploratory and back-up teams are outside.
Pumping by a 2 member team and 2 member back-up continues in the mine at 42 Cross-cut of the Old North Parallel Mains. - 12:30 p.m.
Teams continued examinations and pumping water in outby areas of the mine.
Thunderstorms with possible lightning predicted by Skywatch (lightning warning service) at 50 miles from UBB by 1330 hours and within 30 miles by 1500 hours. Teams exited the mine. - 12:00 p.m.
Teams are conducting examinations in outby areas and sub mains of the mine. Water has been encountered in some locations and is being pumped. No significant issues have been identified. - 10:15 a.m.
Eight teams entered at the North Portal this morning. Four teams traveled to Ellis Portal Mains from North Mains.
- 6:38 p.m.
All teams exited the mine at 6:38 p.m. EDT, completing today's exploration.
Pumping of water continues in some locations. No significant issues were identified after re-entry this afternoon. - 3:23 p.m.
At 3:23 p.m. EDT, the exploration and back-up teams again entered the Ellis Portals to begin exploration in Zone 3B and work toward the location they left when forced to withdraw from the mine. At 3:30 p.m. EDT, the pump team also re-entered the mine. - 1:43 p.m.
The teams were withdrawn from the mine at 1:43 pm EDT due to reported lightning strikes within a 30-mile radius. - 12:31 p.m.
At 12:31 p.m. EDT, exploration was completed in the Old North Mains, Area 3A. The teams began exploration in the Old North Mains Parallel, Area 3B. No issues of significance identified thus far. - 7:39 a.m.
Teams entered the mine at 7:39 a.m. EDT to begin exploration of Zones 3A and 3B, Old North Parallel Mains and North Parallel Mains.
- 5:25 p.m.
Teams have reached the North Portal and are outside the mine. - 3:42 p.m.
Exploration continued up to the temporary seals in North Glory Mains. No air quality issues were identified. At 3:42 p.m. EDT, a decision was made to withdraw until tomorrow to allow time for the company to develop a contingency plan should more hot spots be encountered. Teams are traveling back to the mantrips to exit the mine. - 1:43 p.m.
In the North Glory Mains, signs of heating (400 degrees) were detected at cross cut 118, with measurements of 23 parts per million carbon monoxide. No methane was detected. Mine rescue teams applied 20 buckets of water on the hot spot to cool the area, and two team members were posted at this location to monitor. Mine rescue teams continue to advance to Glory Hole area. - 11:35 a.m.
By 11:35 a.m. EDT, teams had advanced from North Mains and are exploring areas of the North Glory Mains. No issues of significance have been reported. - 9:45 a.m.
At 9:45 a.m. EDT, teams were exploring in the North Mains with no significant issues identified. - 7:38 a.m.
At 7:38 a.m. EDT, mine rescue teams entered the mine at the North Portal.
- 5:52 p.m. EDT
All teams are outside at the North Portal. - 3:20 p.m. EDT
Teams have examined the 9 North faces and are returning back to the fresh air base. Rain has been reported in the area of the UBB mine. - 3:16 p.m. EDT
Teams are within two crosscuts of 9 North face. Air readings: 0.55 methane, 20.8 oxygen and 7 - 8 parts per million carbon monoxide. - 2:40 p.m. EDT
Teams are 12 crosscuts inby the temporary seals. Air readings: 1.87 methane, 20.6 oxygen and 7 parts per million carbon monoxide. - 1:55 p.m. EDT
Teams have explored nine cross-cuts inby temporary seals of 8 North. Air readings: 1.23 methane, 20.6 oxygen and 5 parts per million carbon monoxide. - 12:40 p.m. EDT
Teams have arrived at 15B borehole. - 12:17 p.m. EDT
Teams are at the temporary seals at 8 North and have traveled to the inby side of the seals. - 10:32 a.m. EDT
Teams arrived at crosscut 83 of North Glory Mains. No issues of significance have been identified. - 8:52 a.m. EDT
Mine Rescue teams have entered the mine and are enroute to the temporary seals at the mouth of 8/9 North.
- 4:18 p.m. EDT
Teams moved near the Headgate side of the longwall face. Exploration began in the 22 Tailgate section, when the team encountered water over waist deep at the 3rd crosscut line. - 2:39 p.m. EDT
Teams left the Headgate 22 section. Elevated methane has been detected in high spots and other small localized areas; however, the ambient air quality has averaged .5% Methane, 20.8 % Oxygen and 0 parts per million carbon monoxide throughout the face area. Headgate 22 exploration has been completed, with the exception of the immediate faces, which had water. - 1:12 p.m. EDT
Teams have continued exploring inby areas of Headgate 22 up to and inby crosscut 17. Water holes have been encountered in some areas. - 7:54 a.m. EDT
Mine rescue teams have entered the mine at the North Portal enroute to examine the Headgate # 22 Panel. - 10:00 a.m. EDT
Teams have traveled from the North Portal through North Glory Mains and have reached the first cross-cut of Headgate # 22. They have begun advancing into Headgate # 22.
- 2:36 p.m. EDT
All teams have arrived on the surface. - 12:40 p.m. EDT
The mine rescue team discovered two additional previous hot spots (now cool and fire out) in the tailgate entry. The team then explored from the temporary ventilation controls, inby to the longwall face, and completed their exploration for the day. - 12 p.m. EDT
The team discovered locations of three previous hot spots (now cool at 65 degrees) in the tailgate entry. No fire or heat existed. -
10:42 a.m. EDT
The mine rescue team is at the longwall face. Gas readings: 20.8 Oxygen, 0.1% Methane, and 0 parts per million Carbon Monoxide. The team was traveling outby to explore from crossover to the temporary ventilation controls in the tailgate entry of the longwall. - 9:25 a.m. EDT
The teams are at crosscut 98 of the North Glory Mains outby the temporary ventilation controls. An air lock has been constructed and exploration is beginning. - 7:17 a.m. EDT
Mine rescue teams have entered the mine at the North Portals.
- 4:28 p.m. EDT
Teams have reached the surface. - 2:15 p.m. EDT
The team was at 67 crosscut in the longwall tailgate. They are ending exploration for the day, since they have approximately 2 hours travel time out of the mine from their current location. A lightning storm warning has been received, predicting activity within 30 miles, beginning around 5 p.m. EDT. - 1:34 p.m. EDT
The mine rescue team is at 57 crosscut. The team is advancing inby in the longwall tailgate entry. - 11:10 a.m. EDT
The mine rescue team has explored to the 39 x-cut line of the Headgate Entry. Water was found 6 to 12 inches from the roof in the #2 Entry and over waist deep in the #3 Entry. Air quality was good, with 20.8 Oxygen, 0.0 Methane and 0 parts per million Carbon Monoxide. Air was moving toward the Bandytown fan with 21,096 cubic feet per minute in the #2 Headgate Entry and 21,096 cubic feet per minute in the #3 Headgate Entry. The team planned to withdraw from the headgate entry and move to the tailgate to run phone line and perform other activities in preparation for exploration of the tailgate tomorrow. - 7:34 a.m. EDT
Mine rescue teams entered the mine at North Portals enroute to the Longwall Headgate.
- 1:59 p.m. EDT
The teams are outside the mine. - 12:36 p.m. EDT
The teams are being withdrawn from the mine. They hope to perform ventilation adjustments tomorrow - 10:43 a.m. EDT
The teams were at 76 crosscut and began advancing inby. No significant issues reported. - 7:35 a.m. EDT
Mine rescue teams entered the North Portals, traveling to complete the exploration in Tailgate 21. The farthest point of exploration in this zone yesterday was at crosscut 76. There is a 30 percent chance of afternoon thunderstorms today, which could prompt an early withdrawal from the mine.
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05:44 p.m. EDT
Teams were out of the mine at 5:44 pm. - 12:30 p.m. EDT
Teams re-entered the mine at about 12:30 pm to resume exploration. Due to weather conditions and lightning strikes within 30 miles of the mine site, at 2:50 pm, the teams were withdrawn from the mine for the second time today, returning to the North Portals - 10:00 a.m. EDT
Mine rescue teams were at end of track and going to the Longwall belt drive area. However; at 10:25 am, thunderstorm activity was within 30 miles of the mine. The teams were retreating to cross-cut 78 in preparation to exit the mine. - 8:23 a.m. EDT
Mine rescue teams entered the mine at 8:23 a.m., via the North Portal. They are proceeding to Headgate-22 Section to install temporary controls for ventilation purposes.
- 2:14 p.m. EDT
Ventilation activities have been progressing normally. At 2:14 pm, a lightning strike was detected 22.4 miles away. The mine rescue teams were coming to surface. They have accomplished ventilation of both Headgate-22 section, 8/9 North Panel and other scheduled activities. The recovery exploration phase has been completed. After the mine rescue teams exit the mine today, the accident investigation teams are clear to begin their activities. - 10:00 a.m. EDT
By 10:00 am, Headgate-22 Section has been ventilated with curtains. No air quality issues were detected after ventilation controls were installed. - 8:35 a.m. EDT
Teams were at the mouth of Headgate-22 Section at 8:35 am. - 7:13 a.m. EDT
Mine rescue teams entered the mine at the North Portals enroute to 78 cross-cut.
- The accident investigation team prepares to begin its underground examination. Click here for details.