Initial media reports blamed a methane gas explosion in an airshaft construction site but Consol’s official press release appears to deny that an explosion occurred.
“Consol Energy is issuing this statement because of erroneous media reports that indicated there was an explosion in the mine,” the statement said.
The bodies of the three dead miners were removed from the northern West Virginia mine about 12 hours after the blast. Officials identified them as David Abel, 47, and Richard Mount, 37, both from Ohio; and Harry Roush III, 23, from Pennsylvania.
Consol said the accident did not affect the mine but does not detail what kind of accident it was. The airshaft, which was being constructed by employees of Central Cambria Drilling Company, was located in an area ahead of mining.
“The shaft had not yet reached the coal seam when the accident occurred. Mine production was not disrupted and continues on a normal schedule. The incident is not expected to have a material effect on the company,” Consol said in a statement.
McElroy produces coal from the Pittsburgh No 8 seam using one longwall system and four continuous mining machines. It produces 7 million tonnes of coal per year, and is Consol's third largest mine.
Consol expressed its sympathy to the employees and the families of the employees of Central Cambria Drilling.
