MSHA Sets $10.8 Million Fine for UBB Blast, Blames Massey’s Culture for Mine’s Hazards

As it issued its report on the Upper Big Branch mine explosion, the Labor Department’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced Dec. 6 that it has imposed a fine of $10.8 million, the largest in agency history, for 369 violations discovered during its investigation into the April 5, 2010, blast.

The explosion killed 29 miners and injured two others. When the explosion occurred, the Whitesville, W.Va., mine was owned by Massey Energy Co. and operated by Performance Coal Co., a Massey subsidiary (69 DLR A-14, 4/13/10). Alpha Natural Resources bought Massey June 1 (110 DLR A-10, 6/8/11