Coal Mine Safety and Health Report of Investigation: Fatal Underground Mine Explosion, April 5, 2010. Upper Big Branch Mine-South, Performance Coal Company, Montcoal, Raleigh County, West Virginia, ID No. 46-08436

摘要

On April 5, 2010, at approximately 3:02 p.m., a massive coal dust explosion occurred at the Upper Big Branch Mine-South (UBB), killing 29 miners and injuring two. UBB is operated by Performance Coal Company (PCC), a former subsidiary of Massey Energy Company (Massey) (together PCC/Massey), and is located in Montcoal, West Virginia. This tragic explosion was the largest coal mine disaster in the United States in 40 years. Immediately following the explosion, President Barack Obama called Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Joseph Main to the White House and charged them with conducting the most thorough and comprehensive investigation possible. The President directed Secretary Solis to work with the Justice Department to ensure that the government also investigated any potential criminal activity.