W.Va. mine inspection blitz finds 128 violations
CHARLESTON, W.Va.
Agency spokeswoman Leslie Fitzwater says inspectors targeted 51
problem mines immediately after Manchin ordered the inspections
April 14. The remainder of West Virginia's approximately 200
underground coal mines were examined within a week.
Manchin ordered the inspections after the deaths of 29 coal
miners at Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch mine -- the nation's
worst coal mining disaster in 40 years.
Fitzwater says state inspectors issued 128 citations during the
blitz and ordered two mines closed until problems were fixed.
