Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 2, 1993 TAG: 9301020042
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, W.VA. LENGTH: Medium
COAL MINE METHANE WARNING ISSUED
West Virginia mining officials have issued an alert ordering coal operators to carefully check ventilation systems, mining equipment and methane levels.The action comes in the wake of three mine explosions in West Virginia and two in Virginia during the winter months of the past two years.
In the latest incident, five miners suffered burns in a flash fire Tuesday at Consolidation Coal's Amonate No. 31 mine underneath the Virginia-West Virginia border south of Welch.
The Amonate mine releases - or "liberates" - high amounts of methane each day, federal officials said. Crews in such mines should constantly be alert for problems, officials said.
But Steve Webber, director of the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training, said the alert is aimed at all mines, including those where methane isn't considered a major problem.
Heavy winter air can prevent methane gas from being released by mine ventilation systems, allowing it to build up to explosive levels, Webber said.
"This time of year, in the winter months, is the time when everyone knows the atmospheric conditions affect methane liberation," Webber said Thursday. "It just appears that maybe we are not being as cautious as we should."
Webber cited a mine fire at the Fire Creek Inc. No. 1 mine in McDowell County on Jan. 16, 1991. Two people died in the fire.
Three of the five explosions cited by Webber took place at Consolidation Coal-operated mines.
A March 19 blast at Blacksville No. 1 mine in Monongalia County killed four men. No one was injured in an explosion at the Buckhannon No. 1 mine at Bluefield, Va., according to records from the Virginia Department of Mine, Minerals and Energy.
Eight miners were killed in the worst of the five blasts, which occurred Dec. 7 at Southmountain Coal Company's No. 3 mine near Norton, Va.
Webber said investigators believe Tuesday's fire may have been sparked by mining equipment that scraped against coal, rock or a metal roof support.