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.
Who or what caused the Upper Big Branch mine disaster?
Federal mine safety investigators determined that a buildup of methane gas and coal dust led to the explosion at the Massey Energy-owned mine. It was the worst mine disaster in 40 years. Massey CEO Don Blankenship was convicted in December 2015 of conspiracy to violate mine safety and health standards.
How many miners died in the Upper Big Branch mine explosion?
twenty-nine miners
The Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial is dedicated to twenty-nine miners who lost their lives in an explosion at the Upper Big Branch Coal Mine on April 5th, 2010, to the first responders and mine rescuers that put themselves in harm’s way to come to the aid of their fellow man and to all individuals who have suffered …
Is Upper Big Branch mine still open?
The Upper Big Branch Mine was permanently closed in 2012, two years after a fatal explosion killed 29 miners there in April 2010. Alpha Natural Resources bought the mine from Massey Energy after the explosion.
Where is Don Blankenship today?
Blankenship is an active participant in West Virginia politics.
How many coal mining accidents have there been?
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), there have been 622 coal mining accidents that resulted in five or more fatalities from 1839 to 2007.
Will coal dust explode?
Likewise, fine particles of coal dust in the right concentration that contact a source of heat can also be explosive. Hybrid explosions consisting of a combination of methane and coal dust can also occur.
How far down is coal?
Most of the world’s coal reserves are buried deep underground. Underground mining, sometimes called deep mining, is a process that retrieves coal from deep below the Earth’s surface—sometimes as far as 300 meters (1,000 feet).
How many people have died from coal mining?
In 2020 there were five occupational fatalities in the United States coal mining industry, among 63,612 U.S. coal miners. In 1910, this figure was much higher, with 2,821 coal mining deaths reported in the U.S. that year.
Who survived the Sago mine disaster?
Randal L. McCloy Jr.
Of the thirteen miners, Randal L. McCloy Jr., 26, was the only survivor from those trapped at the Sago mine. He was removed from the site at approximately 1:30 a.m. on January 4, and transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital (Buckhannon, West Virginia).
Is Don Blankenship a convicted felon?
Blankenship was convicted of a single misdemeanor charge of conspiring to violate federal mine safety standards and went on to serve a one-year prison sentence.
What does Blankenship mean?
From Blencarn (a pre-Roman village) meaning “hill with a Cairn”, from the Welsh “Blaen” (top) and “Carn” (a Cairn). Region of origin. Medieval, Northern Europe. Other names.
Who is responsible for mine accident?
The role of the management holds the key in ensuring a safe work environment, but figures show that the responsibility for at least 63% of the documented accidents in coal mines over the last 3 years goes to the management and the supervisory staff.
What are the causes of mine accident?
Mine accidents can have a variety of causes, including leaks of poisonous gases such as hydrogen sulphide or explosive natural gases, especially firedamp or methane, dust explosions, collapsing of mine stopes, toxic gases arising from mine fires, mining-induced seismicity, flooding, or general mechanical errors from …
What does coal dust smell like?
The Smell of Burning Coal
Coal smoke is less aromatic than wood smoke and has a dirtier smell, like cigar smoke compared to a pipe mixture. But like tobacco, it was not unpleasant in small, dilute doses.
How can we stop coal mining?
Prevention of coal mine explosions requires a suite of control strategies, including sustaining a properly designed ventilation system, adequate sealing of abandoned areas, aggressive and frequent monitoring of methane, reduction of coal dust accumulations, and control of potential ignition sources through electrical …
How many years of coal is left?
Based on U.S. coal production in 2020, of about 0.535 billion short tons, the recoverable coal reserves would last about 470 years, and recoverable reserves at producing mines would last about 25 years.
How many years will oil and gas last?
Oil can last up to 50 years, natural gas up to 53 years, and coal up to 114 years. Yet, renewable energy is not popular enough, so emptying our reserves can speed up.
What is the main cause of death in coal mining?
Pneumoconioses (meaning dusty lung) can cause impairment, disability and premature death. The two main types of pneumoconioses that affect miners are coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) and silicosis. CWP, commonly called black lung, affects workers in coal mining.
What is the average life expectancy of a coal miner?
The average life expectancy in the coal mines for those starting work at 15 y was found to be 58.91 y and 49.23 y for surface and underground workers respectively. In the coloured/metal mines they were 60.24 y and 56.55 y respectively.
What happened to the Sago Mine survivor?
TAYLOR COUNTY, W.Va. — Ten years after the Sago Mine Disaster, the sole survivor of the Two Left Crew is living a quiet life in Taylor County.
What caused the Sago Mine collapse?
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Lightning that passed along an abandoned cable likely caused last year’s Sago Mine explosion in West Virginia that killed 12 miners, according to a report released on Wednesday by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Is Massey Energy still in business?
Massey Energy owned and operated Upper Big Branch Mine where 29 miners were killed in April 2010.
…
Massey Energy.
| Type | Public company |
|---|---|
| Traded as | NYSE: MEE |
| Industry | Coal |
| Founded | 1920 in Richmond, Virginia |
| Fate | Acquired by Alpha Natural Resources |
Is Blankenship an English name?
Blankenship Name Meaning
English (northern): variant of Blenkinsop .
How can we prevent mining accidents?
7 Safety Tips to Reduce Mining Accidents
- Don’t Ignore the Danger.
- Dangerous Tasks Require Planning and Communication.
- Get Professional Training.
- Always Wear Safety Equipment.
- Supervise Your Team.
- Document Your Safety Procedures.
- Follow the Latest Safety Standards.