State Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training spokesperson Leslie Fitzwater and Arch spokesperson Kim Link both confirmed to ILN that the victim was Charles Hall, 46, who was assisting in a longwall equipment move August 15 at the Logan County operation.
A federal spokesperson said yesterday that Hall had been installing cribs in the gob area of the longwall at the time of the rock fall.
“Mine personnel are working with MSHA, as well as state and local authorities,” Link said.
“At this most difficult time, we extend our deepest sympathies to the employee’s family, friends and co-workers.”
Fitzwater said Hall, regularly a move crewman, had just under six year of mining experience, all but a year of which was gained at Mountaineer II.
“The investigation into this fatality is ongoing,” the agency said Tuesday.
According to federal data, the mine commenced production in September 2005. The mine’s longwall, according to the company’s statistics, began operations in October 2007.
Mountaineer II, which sold 5.1 million tons last year, was honored in July by the Joseph A Holmes Safety Association with a West Virginia State Mine Safety Awards honor in the underground category for 2010 achievements in safety.
Hall’s death is the fifth in West Virginia and the 14th in the US this year. It is also the second recorded in the month of August alone.
On August 8, a worker at American Energy’s Century longwall operation in Ohio, controlled by Murray Energy, died after being struck in the chest by the top of a base lift jack cylinder of a roof support.
