Performance Coal Company Upper Big Branch Mine-South Massey Energy Company Mine ID: 46-08436

This page contains an archive of releases and events ("Recent Additions") that were on the Upper Big Branch Mine-South single source page.

June 29, 2011 Public Briefing Powerpoint® Presentation

The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration held a public briefing June 29, 2011, on its investigation into the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Raleigh County, W.Va. Below is the presentation.

• See Presentation (.pps)
• PDF Version
• Presentation Videos - Bruceton   / Clip 1   / Clip 2   / Clip 3
• Press Briefing Audio Track (.wav)

US Labor Department's MSHA to hold June 29 public briefing on investigation of Upper Big Branch Mine explosion

The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration will hold a June 29 public briefing on its investigation into the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Raleigh County, W.Va. The briefing, to begin at 10 a.m. EDT, will coincide with the one-year anniversary of the start of the agency's underground investigation at the Upper Big Branch Mine and will be held at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beaver, W.Va. A Q-and-A session for the public will take place at the conclusion of the briefing and end by 12:45 p.m., to be followed by a press availability.

• See Press Release

Statement by MSHA Assistant Secretary Joseph A. Main
on release of Upper Big Branch Independent Investigation Report

Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health, today (5/19/2011) issued the following statement regarding the release of the Upper Big Branch Independent Investigation Report:

"Maintaining a safe mine is the responsibility of the mine operator. The tragedy at the Upper Big Branch Mine was entirely preventable, and basic safety practices were not followed by Massey Energy. Those were the major findings in the Governor's Independent Investigation Panel's report on Upper Big Branch, released today.

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Accident Investigation Interviews (Mine Rescue Activities)

These are transcripts from 25 witness interviews of individuals that were called upon to attempt to rescue miners that were missing following the explosion at the mine on April 5, 2010.

• View Transcripts


• See News Release

One Year Anniversary

Joseph A. Main, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health, discusses the one year anniversary of the tragic accident at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia which claimed the lives of 29 miners on April 5, 2010. (.wmv file)

To view video, please use this link.

Family Meeting Held 01/18/2011

On January 18, 2011, a meeting was held with the families of the victims of the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster. To view and/or download the presentation, use the link provided below.

• Family Meeting

Audio Recording of Conference Call Held 09/17/2010 (.wav file)

On September 17, 2010, Assistant Secretary Joseph A. Main held a conference call for reporters. The purpose of the call was to provide an update on the investigation of the UBB mine accident. To listen to that recording please use this link.

UBB Accident Investigation Update — 10/1/10

• A total of 239 interviews have been conducted. Approximately 20 more are to be scheduled.


• Seven ventilation teams are underground conducting a ventilation survey.


• Mapping has been completed in (Tailgate) TG₂₂.


• MSHA is conducting an inspection of the outby areas of the mine.


• Water at the mouth of (Headgate) HG₂₂ has been pumped. Additional discharge lines and air lines are being extended in HG₂₂ to pump the water in the face area.


• MSHA has collected samples of the bulk rock dust that is used at this mine.


• MSHA issued a violation of 103(a) of the Mine Act because the company was making a poor effort to control suspended float dust along the travel routes.

UBB Accident Investigation Update — 10/27/10

• A total of 247 interviews have been completed. The WVOMHS&T continues to subpoena witnesses to appear for interviews. Approximately 15 Massey Upper Management Employees have pled their 5th Amendment right not to provide potentially self-incriminating evidence during the interview process. In lieu of requiring these individuals to appear for an interview, the WVOMHS&T has agreed to accept a letter from each stating they would take the 5th to all questions posed in interviews. MSHA intends to use their subpoena power during the public hearings.


• Massey�s accident investigation plan has been approved and the company began its investigation on Monday, October 25, 2010. The investigation is currently focused on the longwall face and tailgate entries. MSHA and State officials are also underground as Massey conducts during their investigation.


• As of October 26, 2010, the shoreline of the water in HG22 is at crosscut 33. It appears that at this rate, it will take 2 more weeks to complete the pumping of HG22.


• The completion of the MSHA investigation is pending the pumping of the water in HG22 as well as evaluating the refuge chambers and testing the shearing machine.


• Testing of the electrical equipment is ongoing.