You will use the following Web sites to research the Upper Big Branch Mine,
Massey Coal ( Click on US then click on COAL Fires)
Respond with letter to your state senator or delegate in comment to my BLOG and also post to your blog, to the following 3 questions.
Using your research your responses should be based on evidence, and reasonable beliefs.
What caused this accident to happen?
What can be done, to prevent this in other mines?
Who , if any one can be blamed? Should legal actions follow?
Dear Tom Azinger,
ReplyDeleteI am writing in regards to the Upper Big Branch Mine. Many people think that the accident was caused by a methane build up and are pointing fingers all over the place. I want to let you know that I still support WV mining and I believe that those risks are just associated witht the job. Nothing is 100% safe. The only thing we can do is pray for the grieving families.
-Derric B.
Dear Tom AZINGER
ReplyDeleteWhat caused this accident to happen i belive all the faultie ventliaion and methane bulid up. there was 29 miners killed in the accident 25 right off the bat and 4 had to suffer for a few days.
What can be done to prevent this to other miners then can just try to be careful with there things and try to save others when they get hurt. Who , if any one can be blamed? Should legal actions follow? yes leagle action should follow
“Questions on Miner Deaths”
ReplyDeleteBy: Cole Decker
What caused this accident to happen?There was a major methane gas build up in the mine also known as “No Mans Land.” Also, I think that the miners who lost their lives were very good family men who all loved their families and relatives.
What can be done, to prevent this in other mines?I think that we should upgrade our methane detectors and to have a better support underground and ventilation shafts that will release methane and other gas build-ups that will vent out of the mines and go through a lot of different cleaning shafts and other chambers.
Who , if any one can be blamed? Should legal actions follow? I think if anyone would be responsible I think it would have to be the mine owner and some of the safety team miners and also it wouldn’t or shouldn’t need to be taken into legal actions by anyone. I also think that it was intentional it was more on the side of unavoidable.
What happened at the Upper Big Branch Mine? Can we fix it so it cannot happen again?
ReplyDeleteThere was a methain build up and cause a explosion. If we would just make sure everthing is good before they move on with they’re work…or make sure it an't built up that much.
Dear John Frazier,
ReplyDeleteI was going to tell you how the accident in Raleigh County occurred. It was occurred by a methane build up. Try to do work with the methane, but spread that powder stuff through the mines to see if it is around and let other learn from the accident and try to be more aware of the issue. Yes because that mistake caused people to lose their life and lose loved one’s also, yes if there could be action’s followed they should be in my opinion. That is what I think about the accident.
Love sincerely Jonathan Comer
Dear Senator,
ReplyDeleteFaulty ventilation in the upper Big Branch Mine caused a buildup of methane which in turn caused an explosion, an explosion that took the lives of 29 West Virginia coal miners. Experts have been unable to determine weather or not the explosion could have been prevented, but I think it is clear that extra precautions should be taken to prevent future accidents. Perhaps more frequent mining inspections and modern up to date equipment may remedy the problem. In the meantime the coal companies should be held responsible for these people deaths. While I am unsure if legal action will be taken now, I am sure it will be in the future.
Sincerely
Jacob Chapline
Dear Timothy R. Ennis,
ReplyDeleteI am writing you this letter to see if we can fix the methane build up that happened in the mine a couple of days ago so it never happenes again. I know it has to be hard for the ones who lost there family members. I don't think anybody shouls be blamed for it because it is nobodys fault that the mine blew up.I think we can prevent this by putting two holes in the mines so you can got through one side and out the other if you have any problems like say something collapes and you get stuck you have another way out.I hope this never happens again because I want to be a miner, but not with all this happing.
Dear, Tim Miley
ReplyDeleteCoal mines have had a definite impact on what West Virginia was and is today. It is a part of us, as it was a part of our ancestors. I beleive that in understanding what our ancestors went through, and how they lived will help us in understanding ourselves. I also beleive that this site has the potential to help others understand us better, whether they themselves have roots in WV or not.
There are two primary methods of mining coal, surface mining and underground mining. There are over 1,000 surface mines and more than 1,000 underground mines in the US. Underground mining is more difficult and requires more miners, but much of our best coal is underground. Mining has become much safer and more efficient over the years. In 1980 there were over 220,000 coal miners in the country. Today there are fewer than 100,000. But while 1980 production was about 800,000 tons, today we produce over 1 billion tons with fewer than half the number of miners.
In recent years surface mining in Wyoming has mushroomed, making that state the leading coal producer at almost 300,000 tons per year. West Virginia and Kentucky, the traditional leaders, with both underground and surface mines, each produce around 170,000 tons.
(PDF): This publication provides comprehensive information about US coal production, number of mines, prices, consumption, distribution, stocks, coal quality, emissions, productivity, employment, productive capacity, and recoverable reserves. Appendix A contains a compilation of coal statistics for the major coal-producing States. File Size: 2.2 meg. Coal mining is heavily regulated, both for safety and environmental impact, by the states and the federal government.
Sincerely,
Chasity M
Dear Rahall,
ReplyDeleteHistorically, coal mining has been a very dangerous activity and the list of historical coal mining disasters is a long one. Open cut hazards are principally mine wall failures and vehicle collisions; underground mining hazards include suffocation, gas poisoning, roof collapse and gas explosions. Firedamp explosions can trigger the much more dangerous coal dust explosions, which can engulf an entire pit. Most of these risks can be greatly reduced in modern mines, and multiple fatality incidents are now rare in some parts of the developed world but it still happens. I think that we need to think of the simple ways that we can help these miners in their job. One simple thing could be having more ventalation in the mines so we dont have to worry abotu the explosions that are killing so many loved ones in our lives. We need your help to prevent mothers from losing their sons or husbands.
- Ivalee K.
Dear Patrick lane,
ReplyDeleteBiography:
Lawyer/Mediator Born March 12, 1975, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, the son of Glen and Katheryn Lane Education Honors graduate, Lincoln High School; B.A., Cum Laude, Concord College; J.D., West Virginia University School of Law Wife Sara Children Morgan, Patrick II Affiliations Member, Knights of Columbus; St. Thomas Moore Catholic Lawyers Society; Former Herndon Fellowship legislative intern, 1996 Legislative Service Elected 2004-2008 Other Public Service Commissioner, Kanawha County Parks and Recreation Board Religion Catholic
they think that methane caused the explosion. what can help from this happening that if there was an evacuation a couple day before dont let anyone go in untill a couple weeks later. You should blame the people that made them go back in. i never really cared about anything like this but i actually started to pay attention and actually caring because they risk their life so they can feed their familys . be continued
ReplyDelete