[Cody Dawg]

Story.

I am watching television and see that they say that the carbon monoxide levels are extremely high and they are becoming discouraged.

We should all wish their families strength at this time.

TALLMANSVILLE, W.Va. -- Rescuers trying to reach 13 trapped miners punched a hole into the mine early Tuesday, but a company executive said he was "very discouraged" by air quality tests.

Carbon monoxide levels measured 1,300 parts per million, exceeding the 400 parts per million maximum safe level, said Ben Hatfield, chief executive officer of mine owner International Coal Group Inc.

"We are very discouraged by the results of this test," Hatfield said.

Still, Hatfield said the trapped miners could still be alive.

"They could be in another location or they could be barricaded somewhere," Hatfield told reporters.

The test results were announced after crews drilled the hole. They also sent a camera down the 6 1/4 inch hole to look for signs of life, and planned to move in a camera-equipped robot, Gov. Joe Manchin said.

"We're still hoping for that miracle as you know," Manchin told ABC's "Good Morning America."

After the test, family members, who had been optimistic and talkative earlier, retreated into a nearby church without making any comments.

The blast occurred at about 6:40 a.m. Monday, trapping the miners 260 feet below the surface of the mine, located about 100 miles northeast of Charleston.

Earlier Tuesday, rescuers had penetrated more than 9,000 feet into the Sago coal mine but were ordered to return to the surface Tuesday before the drilling crew punched into the mine.

Officials thought the workers should be removed in case the drilling caused a buildup of carbon monoxide that could endanger the rescuers, Hatfield said.

Four co-workers tried to reach the trapped miners immediately after the explosion but stopped because of contaminated air. The blast knocked out the mine's communication equipment, preventing authorities from contacting the miners.

Several hundred family members and friends waited for word on the miners, including Daniel Merideth, the son-in-law of trapped miner Alby Martin Bennett, who had planned to retire this year.

"Every day he would come home and pray for who was going in," said Merideth. "Right now he is probably in there witnessing to people. He would be organizing and praying."

Teams had initially planned to begin drilling Monday night, but couldn't start until early Tuesday because they had to do some grading work in the spot determined to be the best location.

The rescue teams entered the mine more than 11 hours after the blast. They were kept out of the mine for most of the day because of dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide.

The miners carry individual air purifying systems that would give them up to seven hours of clean air, said Tim McGee, who works at the mine and was among those at the Sago Baptist Church. They do not carry oxygen tanks, he said.

Gene Kitts, a senior vice president for mine owner International Coal Group, said the miners each had between 3 and 30 years experience and are trained to try to tap on roots, waterlines, anything possible, to alert rescuers of their location.

"This is not a rookie crew underground," Kitts said. "So we're just trusting that their training and their mining instincts have kicked in immediately ...

"We will expect to be there quick enough so that food, water, those sorts of issues probably will not come into play," Kitts said.

Coal mine explosions are typically caused by buildups of naturally occurring methane gas, and the danger increases in the winter months, when the barometric pressure can release the odorless, colorless and highly flammable gas.

The mine had been idle on Saturday and Sunday, and two groups of miners were to resume production on Monday. A fire boss went into the mine before the first group entered the mine at 5:51 a.m. and declared it was safe.

The second group of miners entered at 6:30 a.m., just before power went out in the mine. The second group withdrew.

ICG acquired the Sago Mine (pronounced SAY-goh) last March when it bought Anker West Virginia Mining Co., which had been in bankruptcy. The Sago Mine had annual production of about 800,000 tons of coal, the company said.

Federal inspectors cited the mine for 46 alleged violations of federal mine health and safety rules during an 11-week review that ended Dec. 22, according to records.

The more serious alleged violations, resulting in proposed penalties of at least $250 each, involved steps for safeguarding against roof falls, and the mine's plan to control methane and breathable dust. The mine received 208 citations from MSHA during 2005, up from 68 citations in 2004.

The state Office of Miners' Health Safety and Training issued 144 notices of violation against the mine in 2005, up from 74 the year before.

Kitts said safety at the mine has improved dramatically since ICG took over and the company is working closely with regulatory agencies to make further improvements.

"We think that we are operating a safe mine," he said. "We have no real clue about what triggered this explosion or what happened today."

[wdlove]

Very sad Cody,

My prayers are with the miners, family, and friends. May God be with them.

[Cody Dawg]

I posted at your new site, WDLove, the www.sonic-anime.org site.



Yes, I do hope a miracle happens and they come out alive. I once wrote an article on mining and took a tour of a mine and it was very frightening to go down into the earth, into a hole, no light at all except for the lights strung along the walls and the strong smells of sulphur-like compounds. It was dark and dank and oppressive. Those miners make really good livings ($$$) and that's why they do it, but it's a really hard way to make a living. Right up there with Alaskan King Crab fishing. Working on oil rigs. Fishing the grand banks off of Newfoundland for fish in terrible weather (think of the Andrea Gale in The Perfect Storm.

Honestly, why do we need coal anymore?

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Honestly, why do we need coal anymore?

Honestly, yes.

-t

[wallinbl]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Honestly, why do we need coal anymore?

We burn it for electricity. WV is loaded with coal - there is a ridiculous amount of coal there. Natural gas is expensive. Oil is expensive. Nuclear (nucular, if you're the president) scares people. I think wind is still pretty inefficient. Solar is very inefficient, but becoming better. Hydroelectric is used in some areas, but not everyone has a raging river to harness.

[wallinbl]

dp.

[demograph68]

"We think that we are operating a safe mine."

"144 notices of violation"

So, uhhh, ok.

[wallinbl]

Originally Posted by demograph68

"We think that we are operating a safe mine."

"144 notices of violation"

So, uhhh, ok.

Any data on notices of violations for other mines? 144 may be a small number for all we know.

[demograph68]

Do some research and find that out for us, k?

[demibob]

Nuclear power is the answer. No pollution. and healthier conditions for workers.

[TETENAL]

Originally Posted by demibob

Nuclear power is the answer. No pollution. and healthier conditions for workers.

And only 25 years of uranium ressources left (and I see no reason why uranium mining should be healthier for workers than coal mining).

[olePigeon]

"Do you think those could be the miners?"
"Well, sure. They're like... 3-years-old."
"Miners, not minors!"
"You lost me."

[wallinbl]

Originally Posted by demibob

Nuclear power is the answer. No pollution. and healthier conditions for workers.

Sure, as long as you don't live near Yucca Mountain.

[turtle777]

Nuclear power is da bomb.

-t

[demograph68]

Originally Posted by wallinbl

Sure, as long as you don't live near Yucca Mountain.

Why? My real estate agent said it was a fine place to live.

[cmeisenzahl]

Very sad, I certainly wish the best for them and their families. ;-(

[Rolling Bones]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Honestly, why do we need coal anymore?

Honestly? Yes we ****ing do.

And just a little tidbit, other products are made from coal. Coal isn't just black lumpy stuff for furnaces.

[Artful Dodger]

without coal, there wouldn't be anything to lodge up rolling bones' ass to create diamonds.. and we all know diamonds are a girls best friend.

[Cody Dawg]

That's the best argument you can come up with? "Coal is needed to create diamonds?"



Yeah...in about a MILLION YEARS!

[demograph68]

They can also be created artificially. It's a fact!

[nredman]

i doubt they will make it - but only god knows. its not like they dont know the dangers of their jobs

[demibob]

they make diomands from graphite not coal

[Artful Dodger]

i knew i should have put an emoticon to avoid all this seriousness...didn't anybody see ferris bueller's day off....anyway...why bother.....


My prayers go out to the miners. i hope they are all alive. very sad

[Rolling Bones]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

That's the best argument you can come up with? "Coal is needed to create diamonds?"



Yeah...in about a MILLION YEARS!

What do you think the pioneers used in their lanterns to light up their lives.

I'm not a patient person and don't want to have to spell everything out.

For God's sake do some research.

[Fyre4ce]

Originally Posted by TETENAL

And only 25 years of uranium ressources left (and I see no reason why uranium mining should be healthier for workers than coal mining).

Are you sure about this? I thought uranium is a very abundant element in the Earth's crust. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean it will be mine-able.

[Mrjinglesusa]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Honestly, why do we need coal anymore?

http://smtc.uwyo.edu/coal/using/uses.asp

http://www.coalnz.com/nzcoal-uses.htm

http://www.griffincoal.com.au/Uses.html

http://www.uky.edu/KGS/coal/uses_of_coal.htm

If you need more reasons why we need coal do your own research.

[Mrjinglesusa]

Originally Posted by Fyre4ce

Are you sure about this? I thought uranium is a very abundant element in the Earth's crust. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean it will be mine-able.

Yep, the 25 years is wrong.

http://www.world-nuclear.org/factsheets/uranium.htm

Current situation
According to the summary of uranium resources published jointly by the Nuclear Energy Agency of the OECD and the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency, known reserves of uranium from conventional sources are slightly more than 3 million tonnes. Reactor requirements are fairly steady at about 60,000 tonnes per year. Thus there is about 50 years supply of uranium known at this stage to be available.

This is, however, an oversimplification of the situation. It is now clear that uranium is not scarce and it is known that it averages almost two parts per million of the Earth's crust. There are substantial resources that are not yet fully proven. These so-called speculative resources are likely to be of the order of 10 million tonnes, about three times the known reserves. While prices remain low, there is no incentive for exploration activities to identify new deposits. Experience with other commodities has shown that increased demand has led to increased prices, and a subsequent increase in exploration and discovery.

[King Bob On The Cob]

Wow, just amazing.

EDIT: CNN has the story on the main page, but the article isn't updated.

[baw]

Yes.
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/01/03/D8ETLCH81.html

[rickey939]

Awesome!

[euchomai]

I can't believe it, I feel so horrible for the family of the one that died.

This is amazing, I hope this is a wake-up call for the owners to get it all together.

[bstone]

12 of the 13. Yes. This is a prediction.

[Corpse of Chewbacca]

I agree.

[MrForgetable]

Apparently, it was a miscommunication or something? Twelve found dead, and only one alive, or something drastic like that.

[Artful Dodger]

my goodness....I just checked out drudge and on the top of the page it reads:

"AFTER A LATE NIGHT SPURT OF NEAR-JUBILATION, 11 OF 12 MINERS THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN SAVED IN A MINE ACCIDENT, HAVE DIED, ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES... DEVELOPING... "

www.drudgereport.com

what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????? omg please tell me he's wrong

[MrForgetable]

Originally Posted by Artful Dodger

my goodness....I just checked out drudge and on the top of the page it reads:

"AFTER A LATE NIGHT SPURT OF NEAR-JUBILATION, 11 OF 12 MINERS THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN SAVED IN A MINE ACCIDENT, HAVE DIED, ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES... DEVELOPING... "

www.drudgereport.com

what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????? omg please tell me he's wrong

it's on CNN right now.

[Artful Dodger]

thanks...I just got out of bed and turned it on...very sad.... very very sad.

my prayers are with them


I can't understand the discrepancy between what was reported and the actual truth.

[baw]

Oops.

[King Bob On The Cob]

Isn't steel made from a mixture of iron and coke (processed coal)?
Steel is pretty important in today's world if you ask me.

[TETENAL]

Originally Posted by Mrjinglesusa

Yep, the 25 years is wrong.

25 years or 50 years doesn't make a difference considering the time span mankind will be on earth. Even I personally plan to be still around in 50 years.

Fact is that nuclear power is a fossil energy source that will run out soonish. It's not "The Answer" with a capital A for mankind's energy problem.

[ShotgunEd]

we need coal for scenes like the one in zoolander.

no disrespect to the miners trapped. I hope they get out alive and well.

[Cody Dawg]

They're dead. One is critical and may not make it and if he does he may have considerable brain damage.

It's a tragedy of immense proportions.

[ShotgunEd]

yeah, sad news.

Its a disgrace as well that they were mistakenly reported alive not long before.

[wdlove]

Very tragic. My prayers are with the families and friends.

[Cody Dawg]

Now they need to shut down the mine.

I saw the president of the mine giving a news conference. He looked well scrubbed, well fed, had the nice glow of an Aspen ski slope suntan on his face...

HE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT SHUTTING DOWN THE MINE WHEN THE RECEIVED SAFETY VIOLATION CITATIONS.

[Corpse of Chewbacca]

Recall back to the 1972 Olympics and the evil massacare which occured (the PLO terrorists murdering the Israelis). At first the news reports that "all hostages are alive. this is confirmed." only a few minute later to hear "they are all dead. they're all gone."

in the heat of the moment a whisper becomes major news. sad.

[Leia's Left Bun]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

It's a tragedy of immense proportions.

WHAT? 12 people is immense? I do you mean it is dramatic?

You hear about that Tsunami last year outside of the US? If "immense" is 12 people what would you call 200,000?

[baw]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Now they need to shut down the mine.

I saw the president of the mine giving a news conference. He looked well scrubbed, well fed, had the nice glow of an Aspen ski slope suntan on his face...

HE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT SHUTTING DOWN THE MINE WHEN THE RECEIVED SAFETY VIOLATION CITATIONS.

I highly doubt the mine is operating at this moment.

[jcadam]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Now they need to shut down the mine.

I saw the president of the mine giving a news conference. He looked well scrubbed, well fed, had the nice glow of an Aspen ski slope suntan on his face...

HE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT SHUTTING DOWN THE MINE WHEN THE RECEIVED SAFETY VIOLATION CITATIONS.

I'm curious why they were allowed to continue to operate with all of those violations. Were they not seen as a big enough deal for the govt to shut them down involuntarily? And is there a single coal mine in existence that would receive a 100% GO on a safety inspection (and how many inspectable items are there, 144 out of 200 or 144 out of 2000)? Just wondering if the media are misinterpreting something again...

[Artful Dodger]

Originally Posted by Leia's Left Bun

WHAT? 12 people is immense? I do you mean it is dramatic?

You hear about that Tsunami last year outside of the US? If "immense" is 12 people what would you call 200,000?

What benchmark must be exceeded in order to warrant the adjective immense? Do you have a mathematical formula? A life is a life and to some, maybe not you, one death is an immense loss. No need to compare tragedies...each is sad, devestating, and immense in their own way.


Seriously, you say some dumb sh!t.