Notes reveal that engineer's Crandall Canyon mine warnings unheeded

[helderheid]

By Mike Gorrell
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 03/12/2008 06:45:54 AM MDT

Months before August's disaster, at least two engineers saw problems in Murray Energy Corp.'s plan for retreat mining in the Crandall Canyon mine.

Pete Del Duca, a federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) engineer, determined in September 2006 that the proposal to remove most of two ground-stabilizing "barrier pillars" would not work. But his superior overruled him after listening to company complaints about the analysis.

Del Duca was right, however. In March 2007, the weight of the mountain overhead proved too much for what was left of a whittled back north barrier pillar and its walls blew in.

Fortunately, no one was there when it happened. But Murray Energy was forced to abandon that section. Its attention turned to doing the same work in the south barrier pillar.

This time, an engineer for the company's consultant, Agapito Associates Inc., looked at where the north barrier pillar failed and compared conditions there with the south barrier pillar. Leo Gilbride drew two circles on that mine map and wrote on the side "Dangerous?" and "Danger?"



He was right, too. Four months later, unfortunately, that was where a six-man crew was working when a catastrophic collapse occurred.

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http://www.sltrib.com/ci_8542218

There should be MURDER charges

[Bluzmann57]

1. I work in a place governed by MSHA

And last month, we had our annual safety refresher course. The instructor, a former miner from Southern Illinois, said that he has met Murray, the guy who was out in front with the Crandall Canyon mine disaster. He said Murray is just "a piece of shit who should be in prison for murder". Those were the instructors exact words, by the way. So MSHA knows about him as well. Now please don't say that MSHA hasn't done anything because they have tried. But they can't be everywhere at once, and if mine owners choose not to comply, then the agency cannot act immediately. The mine owners must be caught in the act, or unfortunately, sometimes after the act.

[helderheid]

2. This is ALL on Murray, as far as I'm concerned.

[Bluzmann57]

3. Except according to the instructor

Murray had some other money backing him up. Wish I could remember who, I think he said they are connected to Sago. Remember Sago? These bastards must be held accountable and must go to prison.
On an unrelated note, I also wish I could remember our instructor's name. It sort of bugs me.

[PA Democrat]

4. Agree. If not murder at least involuntary manslaughter.

BTW, did they ever recover those poor miners' bodies, or did Murray decide it was too risky, I mean expensive?

[helderheid]

5. The miners were never recovered.

:cry:

[PA Democrat]

6. That is sad. I feel for the families.

Personally, I would like to see Murray forced to dig through the rubble with his bare hands until the bodies are recovered.

[Elspeth]

7. Murder

:kick: