Monday, August 27, 2007

Crandall Canyon Mine Information

Crandall Canyon Mine Information Sunday, August 26, 5 p.m. EDT
Statement on Crandall Canyon Mine by MSHA Assistant Secretary Richard E. Stickler
ARLINGTON, Va. - Richard E. Stickler, assistant secretary of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) issued the following statement today on Crandall Canyon Mine:

"Unfortunately, borehole number six did not provide us with conclusive evidence of the fate of the six trapped miners. However, we have identified another location to drill that may provide us additional details as to what may have happened to the miners. We are pleased that Mr. Murray has agreed to drill this additional borehole."
http://www.msha.gov/Genwal/Drill%20Hole%20Presentation.pdf

UMWA safety chief named to Utah panel investigating Crandall Canyon

United Mine Workers of America International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:


"I am extremely pleased that Governor Jon Huntsman has named UMWA Health and Safety Administrator Dennis O'Dell to the newly created Utah Mine Safety Commission.
"Mr. O'Dell is nationally recognized as one of the leading experts on mine safety. His work on a similar commission established in the wake of last year's Sago mine disaster in West Virginia was instrumental in the writing of tougher regulations that have enhanced miner safety.
"I also applaud Governor Huntsman for recognizing that the Crandall Canyon disaster warrants a thorough investigation conducted independent of parties involved in the approval of the mining operation and rescue effort there."

UMWA asked to represent miners in Crandall Canyon disaster

FAIRFAX, VA–The United Mine Workers of America today filed papers with the Mine Safety and Health Administration designating the union as a miners' representative in the upcoming investigation into the Crandall Canyon mine disaster in Utah.
"Miners and their families want to make sure that the whole truth about the events leading up to and following the accident and rescue is revealed, and they firmly believe that the UMWA will make sure that it is," said UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts. "We will do all that we can to be worthy of their trust."
Federal regulations permit the UMWA to represent the miners at any mine if two or more of them designate the union to represent them on safety issues.
"We intend to be an objective participant in any upcoming investigations in order to help prevent the recurrence of this tragedy at any other mine in the United States, and to be a voice for the miners and their families," Roberts said. "We have no further agenda in this matter." s