Rescue crews have located the remains of the coal miner who had been missing since a WV mine was inundated with water on Saturday, as stated by the governor on the fourth day.
The body was found inside the mine site near Belva, approximately 80 kilometers to the east of the state capital of Charleston.
Details of the Mining Accident
A mining crew had struck an unexpected pocket of water last Saturday about 1.2 kilometers into the underground site, which flooded after an historic barrier “was compromised”, authorities said. Over twelve other miners were safely evacuated after the incident was reported.
Previous Deaths at Company Sites
This death marks the third at a company operation in West Virginia this calendar year. The previous two occurred in adjacent the county of Raleigh: a case in the eighth month when an elevator being inspected struck a miner on a ground-level area, and a second in February when a coal seam fell on a subcontracted employee at another site.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Boreholes were drilled in the mine in an effort to accelerate the search process, and dive teams searched potential areas in the flooded sections where pockets of air might exist. Specialized communication equipment were provided to facilitate better underground communication over great distances.
About the Mine
The mine in question is one of 11 underground mines operated in West Virginia by the Tennessee-based company. The business also runs four surface mines in the state, as well as additional mining locations in Virginia.
The governor said that the abandoned mine next to the active mine had been in operation during the mid-20th century.
Consultant Assessment
A report prepared in the winter for the company by an engineering consulting firm indicated that the region had been thoroughly investigated by previous mine owners, generating “a significant amount of historical data” that was reviewed in assessing its coal extraction prospects.
The identical document notes that the Rolling Thunder coal seam runs parallel to and beneath the water flow of a nearby creek, but said there were minimal water-related risks impacting mining.
