Fatality #7 - July 29, 2016

Accident Classification: Ignition or Explosion of Gas or Dust

Location: Road Fork #51 Mine, West Virginia

Mine Controller: Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.

Mine Type: Underground

Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)

Incident Date/Time: July 29, 2016 12:35 pm

PUBLIC NOTICE

This posting serves to provide a public notice to employees of the mine, employees of the mining company(s), employees of independent contractors with any connection to the mine, persons with any connection to the mine, and any person with information regarding the cause or contributing factors of this accident.

Please provide any information to:

Josh Bennett, Lead Accident Investigator
Phone: 304.763.1712

PRELIMINARY REPORT

Two miners were welding threaded blocks to secure the guarding around the drive-shaft between the motor and a dewatering pump located on the surface of the #3 shaft. Methane was ignited from within the shaft, and the victim was in direct line of the ignition force. The victim succumbed to the injuries received during the accident, and passed away 6 days later on August 4, 2016.

Read more about the Preliminary Report

FATALITY ALERT

COAL MINE FATALITY - On Friday, July 29, 2016, a 58-year-old miner with 40 years of mining experience sustained fatal injuries when an ignition occurred in the shaft he and another miner were working above. Two miners were welding threaded blocks to secure guarding around the drive-shaft between a motor and dewatering pump. Methane ignited within the shaft, and the victim was in the direct line of the ignition force. On August 4, 2016, the victim died from the injuries received during the accident.