What caused the Upper Big Branch mine disaster?
What caused the Upper Big Branch mine disaster?
Blankenship Documentary Blames MSHA for Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster. A freak release of natural gas triggered the April 5, 2010, explosion that killed 29 workers at the Upper Big Branch Mine, according to a documentary commissioned by former Massey Energy Co. CEO Don Blankenship.
What happened at Upper Big Branch Mine?
The Upper Big Branch Mine disaster occurred on April 5, 2010 roughly 1,000 feet (300 m) underground in Raleigh County, West Virginia at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch coal mine located in Montcoal. Twenty-nine out of thirty-one miners at the site were killed. The coal dust explosion occurred at 3:27 pm.
What was the biggest mining disaster?
According to MSHA, the worst mining accident in U.S. history occurred in 1907 at the Fairmont Coal Co.’s Monongah, W.Va., mine, where an explosion killed 362 men and boys.
What mine disaster is mine 9 based on?
9 coal mine north of Farmington and Mannington, West Virginia, United States. The explosion was large enough to be felt in Fairmont, almost 12 miles away. At the time, 99 miners were inside….Farmington Mine disaster.
| Cause | Coal Mine explosion |
| Casualties | |
|---|---|
| 78 dead |
Who died in Upper Big Branch mine?
Monday marks 11 years since the Upper Big Branch coal mine disaster in Raleigh County, West Virginia, where 29 miners were killed on April 5, 2010. Federal mine safety investigators determined that a buildup of methane gas and coal dust led to the explosion at the Massey Energy-owned mine.
How many people died in the Upper Big Branch mine?
29 miners
“We had a horrible situation and 29 miners lost their lives and it was all preventable,” Manchin today recalls. The investigation in the years following the explosion revealed a poor culture of safety at the operation. Investigators found corners were cut and coal production was demanded at all costs.
Is mining a man made disaster?
Man-made disasters can include hazardous material spills, fires, groundwater contamination, transportation accidents, structure failures, mining accidents, explosions and acts of terrorism.
How many miners survived Mine 9?
The Quecreek Mine rescue took place in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, when nine miners were trapped underground for over 77 hours, from July 24 to 28, 2002. All nine miners were rescued.
How many miners died Mine 9?
On November 20, 1968, a catastrophic explosion rocked the Consol No. 9 coal mine outside of Farmington, West Virginia. Seventy-eight miners perished in that accident.
Who owned the Upper Big Branch mine?
Massey Energy
Monday marks 11 years since the Upper Big Branch coal mine disaster in Raleigh County, West Virginia, where 29 miners were killed on April 5, 2010. Federal mine safety investigators determined that a buildup of methane gas and coal dust led to the explosion at the Massey Energy-owned mine.
Who owned Massey Energy?
Alpha Natural Resources
Massey Energy
| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1920 (Richmond, Virginia) |
| Fate | Acquired by Alpha Natural Resources |
| Headquarters | Richmond, VA |
| Key people | Baxter Phillips, President and CEO Christopher Adkins, SVP & COO John Poma, VP & CAO Shane Harvey, VP & General Counsel |
