Massey Energy Statement on Davitt McAteer's UBB Mine Explosion Report

Massey Energy Company MEE today released the following statement regarding the release of Davitt McAteer's report on the Upper Big Branch mine explosion: "We have just received Davitt McAteer's report and are carefully reviewing it. We do have some initial observations. "We agree with Mr. McAteer that the industry needs to examine whether it can achieve better methane monitoring technology. At UBB, all methane monitors were functional and yet the mine experienced a massive inundation of methane-rich natural gas that was not detected in time to prevent the explosion. We have been examining where improvements in methane monitoring can be made and we hope to develop some better technologies as a result of our investigation. "We disagree with Mr. McAteer's conclusion that this was an explosion fueled by coal dust. Again, we believe that the explosion was caused by a massive inundation of methane-rich natural gas. Our experts feel confident that coal dust did not play an important role. Our experts continue to study the UBB explosion and our goal is to find answers and technologies that ultimately make mining safer."