Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy spokesperson Mike Abbott told the Kingsport Times News that repairman Wayne Parrott, 58, was working at Big Laurel’s No. 2 underground operation near Roda, Wise County, as part of the mine’s third shift staff of 19 when the accident happened.
While a final report on the cause could take months, Abbott said that spot investigations onsite and crew interviews were being held Friday and a preliminary report on the incident could be released earlier. He did confirm for local media that Parrott, a 33-year mining veteran, was about 12,000 feet into the mine at the time of the rib roll.
While the US Mine Safety and Health Administration did not immediately respond to a request for an update on the investigation, spokesperson Amy Louviere did tell ILN last Thursday afternoon that the roll was close to the working section at Big Laurel on the 002 beltline.
She also noted at the time that a federal 103(j) order – an MSHA directive given to mines to withdraw crews after an incident where rescue and recovery work is necessary – was issued.
Big Laurel No. 2 is operated by Cumberland Resources. According to federal statistics, it commenced operations in November 2003 and produces about 3200 raw tons daily.
The worker’s death is the first in the state of Virginia in more than a year.
MSHA statistics show that Big Laurel No. 2 had three non-fatal days lost operator injuries in 2008 for a total NFDL incidence rate of 4.76 for the year. As of the end of MSHA’s first reporting quarter, the mine had reported two NFDL operator injuries for 2009.
Federal records show the controller of the mine as Virginia-based Richard Gilliam. Gilliam also owns the North Fork No. 5 mine in Kentucky, where another miner was injured – also in a rib roll – approximately two weeks ago.
