J Davitt McAteer, special advisor to Governor Joe Manchin on the Sago and Aracoma mine tragedies, released the independent report on the Sago Mine explosion and subsequent investigation yesterday.
ICG said based on an initial review of the report, the company supports the provision of additional caches of self-contained self-rescuers underground, improved SCSR design, technology advancements in underground communications and an enhancement of the mine rescue process.
The company said it has already taken steps to apply new technologies to improve mine safety by offering its mines as testing sites, with the Sago Mine hosting one manufacturer in a test of wireless communications capabilities.
CEO Ben Hatfield said while the report does not find a specific cause of the ignition, it acknowledges that the explosion occurred within the sealed area of the mine, that lightning was the probable ignition source, and that the company’s recent improvements in the mine (such as the extensive rockdusting) helped prevent the explosion from propagating.
“The company disagrees, however, with McAteer’s comments to the media, which stated that the seals at Sago were not properly constructed. The [Mine Safety and Health Administration]-approved plan for seal construction at Sago does not describe the means and methods for construction of the seals but rather provides general standards for seal construction,” Hatfield said.
“ICG believes that the seals were built in compliance with the MSHA-approved plan using construction techniques that are consistent with industry practice. Furthermore, ICG believes the physical evidence demonstrates that the explosion forces at the seals significantly exceeded the 20psi design strength requirement.”
Hatfield said the company would continue to cooperate with the ongoing investigation efforts in order to implement changes that will help make coal mines safer in the future.
