Don Blankenship, President and CEO of Massey Energy (NYSE:MEE), sent a letter today to governors of four states over concerns he has with the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
The states and governors Blankenship sent the letter to include Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell, Illinois Gov. Patrick J. Quinn III and West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin.
What Blankenship addressed in the letters was the concern over the MSHA imposing new mine ventilation rules on the company without a cause of the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine being determined yet.
He said in the letter, "Importantly, we have recently learned that MSHA had been warned about the safety of this ventilation system in Illinois before imposing it upon us."
Blankenship was concerned MSHA could be doing more harm than good, saying, "We believe experts in the state agencies better understand this and the unique mining conditions present in your states. We fully support budgetary measures that will allow the states to keep or attract the kinds of experts necessary to closely scrutinize mining plans with mine-specific issues in mind. As you are aware, mine ventilation is not a one-size-fits-all issue."
Showing posts with label Mine Safety and Health Administration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mine Safety and Health Administration. Show all posts
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Massey Energy (NYSE:MEE) Sued Over Safety Record
Several institutional investors have joined forces to sue Massey Energy over its mine safety record which they allege led to the explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine in Virginia,
Plaintiffs in the suit include Amalgamated Bank, Manville Trust and CalSTRS.
The lawsuit is directed toward officers and directors of Massey Energy over the issue.
While the institutional investors cite the supposed 38 times the company had been cited for violations, an administrative law judge ruled on Tuesday there was no pattern of violations which would need to lead to stricter regulation at the Upper Branch mine.
The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission judge ruled concerning the No. 1 mine that 10 of the 29 violations weren't of a serious nature, which would drop them below the required 25 needed to establish a pattern.
Plaintiffs in the suit include Amalgamated Bank, Manville Trust and CalSTRS.
The lawsuit is directed toward officers and directors of Massey Energy over the issue.
While the institutional investors cite the supposed 38 times the company had been cited for violations, an administrative law judge ruled on Tuesday there was no pattern of violations which would need to lead to stricter regulation at the Upper Branch mine.
The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission judge ruled concerning the No. 1 mine that 10 of the 29 violations weren't of a serious nature, which would drop them below the required 25 needed to establish a pattern.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Massey Energy (NYSE:MEE): More Citations
Massey Energy (NYSE:MEE) received 23 citations from federal mining inspectors since May 14 at the Upper Big Branch mine, where 29 miners were killed in April.
While many of them were related to electrical problems, three were labeled as "significant and substantial," although it wasn't clear as to whether they played any role in the explosions and deaths at the mine.
The citations were issued by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, which oversees the industry.
Those violations considered as more serious were related to what are called escapeways, which must be taken care of very well to ensure workers can leave the area unobstructed in case of emergency situations.
Also cited were travelways, which are exactly what they sound like, means of moving from one working area to another.
The mine is still filled with high levels carbon monoxide, so inspectors haven't been able to go underground yet. Expectations are they may be able to enter the mine by June 2.
While many of them were related to electrical problems, three were labeled as "significant and substantial," although it wasn't clear as to whether they played any role in the explosions and deaths at the mine.
The citations were issued by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, which oversees the industry.
Those violations considered as more serious were related to what are called escapeways, which must be taken care of very well to ensure workers can leave the area unobstructed in case of emergency situations.
Also cited were travelways, which are exactly what they sound like, means of moving from one working area to another.
The mine is still filled with high levels carbon monoxide, so inspectors haven't been able to go underground yet. Expectations are they may be able to enter the mine by June 2.
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