Upper big branch mine - Articles

Blankenship gets a year behind bars in UBB mine disaster

Guilty verdict was a landmark occupational safety case

April 6, 2016

Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship was sentenced today to a year in prison for his role in the Upper Big Branch mine disaster that killed 29 miners.

Prosecutors urge jail time for Blankenship

Judge is a coal miner's daughter

March 31, 2016

Donald Blankenship, former CEO of Massey Energy, will be sentenced April 6 for his role in the Upper Big Branch mine tragedy – and federal prosecutors want him to do jail time.

A U.S. Department of Labor blog post

A commitment to keeping workers safe

December 18, 2015

The fatal explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine in 2010 shocked the nation. It was the worst mine disaster in the United States in decades, with 29 coal miners losing their lives. Earlier this month, jurors in West Virginia sent a clear message that no mine operator is above the law when they found former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship guilty of conspiracy to willfully violate mine health and safety standards.

UMWA: Blankenship verdict sends a message

December 8, 2015

The conviction last week of former Massey Energy Co. CEO Don Blankenship on charges related to the 2010 disaster at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia will hopefully keep miners alive going forward, according to United Mine Workers of America International (UMWA) President Cecil E. Roberts.

Massey Ex-CEO Blankenship found guilty in UBB mine blast

Prosecutor: It's a "landmark day" for coal miner safety

December 3, 2015

In an outcome described as “unprecedented” by a federal prosecutor, former Massey Energy Co. CEO Don Blankenship was found guilty of violating safety regulations at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia, which led to the 2010 explosion that killed 29 workers.

West Virginia bill would weaken mine safety laws

February 18, 2015

Backers of H.B. 2566, a measure which is advancing through the West Virginia State Senate and House of Delegates, say it would make the state’s mining industry more competitive.

Massey Energy CEO Blankenship indicted in UBB explosion

November 14, 2014

A federal grand jury in Charleston, West Virginia indicted former Massey Energy CEO for routinely violating federal mine safety rules at the Upper Big Branch Mine, leading to one of the worst mining disasters in U.S. history.

UBB victims’ families furious about Blankenship video

Former Massey CEO funds Youtube effort to clear his name

April 8, 2014

Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship has taken to video to defend himself against charges that he is responsible for the Upper Big Branch disaster – to the outrage of victims’ family members. Dozens of them and their supporters gathered earlier this month outside a federal courthouse in Charleston, West Virginia, to protest the claims made in the video.

MSHA implements Upper Big Branch corrective actions on schedule

Changes sprang from internal review

January 20, 2014

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced that it met the deadline for making changes recommended after the deadly April 2010 Upper Big Branch (UBB) mine tragedy.

20’ crack in a mine roof, other hazards found during MSHA impact inspections

Same facility had falling rock hazards

December 23, 2013

Despite the government shutdown the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) did manage to conduct special impact inspections at nine mines during October that resulted in 120 citations and ten orders being issued.