Massey pays $4 million fine for deadly Aracoma fire
By By Scott Finn/Erica Peterson
December 23, 2008 ·
Aracoma Coal Company, a subsidiary of Massey Energy, has agreed to pay a record $4.2 million dollar federal fine stemming from a fire that killed two miners in Logan County.
Aracoma Coal Company, a subsidiary of Massey Energy, has agreed to pay a record $4.2 million dollar federal fine stemming from a fire that killed two miners in Logan County.
The plea deal, if approved by a federal judge, would settle criminal and civil charges against the company.
In January 2006, miners Don Bragg and Elvis Hatfield died when heavy smoke from the fire prevented their escape.
In the settlement, the company admitted it willfully ignored safety laws. It failed to provide an escapeway or hold evacuation drills, but then lied about in its safety logs.
Company officials also removed ventilation controls which may have made the fire much worse.
The widows of the dead miners looked on quietly as U.S. District Attorney Charles Miller announced the unprecedented settlement.
Their lawyer, Bruce Stanley, read a statement by the two women. They recently settled a lawsuit against the company for an undisclosed amount.
“Perhaps these penalties will help to convince all operators that money will never be more important than miners’ lives,” Stanley said.
In a statement, John Jones, president of Aracoma Coal Company said, “While we will never forget the loss of our two members, resolving these issues with the U.S. Attorney and MSHA will help all of us at Aracoma Coal Company move forward from this tragic accident.
“Since the fire, all of us at Aracoma have pulled together in a united effort to improve safety. I am very proud of the members of Aracoma and their focus on safety,” Jones said.
A federal judge must now approve the settlement. Criminal charges are still pending against company officials.