The Mine Safety and Health Administration and the United Mine Workers Association have given Consol approval to re-enter the mine, which has been closed for two weeks after a fire.

Consol Energy senior vice-president Chuck Shaynak said: "I am extremely proud of the successful collaborative effort from federal and state agencies, the UMWA, contractors/vendors and our employees on site who worked around the clock to remotely extinguish a fire in less than 12 days.

“Without their efforts, we would not be where we are today. Most importantly, we accomplished all of the work without an injury."

Blacksville’s 121 dayshift workers were evacuated on March 12 after smoke was discovered coming from the mine.

Both the mine and the preparation facility were closed while the company worked to flood the mine and seal off the fire area.

“Analysis of the continuous mine atmosphere readings that the team has been taking indicates that gas levels remain steady and oxygen levels continue to decrease. As a result, Consol Energy believes the fire has been successfully extinguished,” the company said in a statement.

Mine atmosphere monitoring will continue prior to re-entry, which is scheduled for March 27.