Coal Mine

Upper Big Branch Families Trip to Washington, D.C.

Click photo to view slideshow.

Images available on Flickr

Accompanied by AFSC West Virginia Economic Justice staff member Beth Spence, Upper Big Branch mining families traveled to Congress in Washington, D.C. June 6-7, 2012 to encourage improved mine safety legislation. Photos: Bryan Vana

Accompanied by AFSC West Virginia Economic Justice staff member Beth Spence, Upper Big Branch mining families traveled to Congress in Washington, D.C. June 6-7, 2012 to encourage improved mine safety legislation.

Full article here.

Carrying enlarged photographs of their lost loved ones, family members of three of the 29 miners killed in the 2010 explosion at West Virginia’s Upper Big Branch mine spent June 6-7 in Washington, D.C., pleading with lawmakers to take action to improve mine safety and to stiffen penalties for mining companies that knowingly, willingly, and recklessly place miners’ lives at risk.

coal miner statue

Miner statue in West Virginia.

On December 6, US Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that the federal government and Alpha Natural Resources have reached a settlement in the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster, including $210 million in fines and required safety improvements.

coal miner statue

Miner statue in West Virginia.

Editor's note: The report is available online.
Download the report (PDF, 5 MB)

coal miner statue

Miner statue in West Virginia.

The 29 miners killed in the April 5 methane explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine have been laid to rest, but signs of a community in deep mourning are still visible in the coal towns that line West Virginia’s Coal River Valley. Hand-scrawled messages in the windows of homes and businesses urge passers-by to “pray for our miners and their families,” as do billboards in front of churches with names like Amazing Grace and Healing Stream.