Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
Cabinet secretary orders study of mining method

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug.7, 2005) - An outside professional engineering firm will be engaged to study retreat mining in Kentucky following the deaths of four miners, including two this week, Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (EPPC) Secretary LaJuana S. Wilcher announced today.

Retreat mining, also known as pillar removal, occurs when coal pillars that hold up the roof of the mine during the initial mining phase are cut and retrieved, allowing the roof to fall in a controlled manner.

Wilcher said although the state implemented a thorough inspection effort last year following the deaths of two miners in roof falls, more should be done.

"With the death of two more miners this week, we have serious concerns regarding the safety of retreat mining operations.  To address these concerns we will be undertaking a thorough and rigorous evaluation of the current regulations and statutory requirements governing retreat mining." said Wilcher. "We intend to utilize an outside, professional engineering company to perform this evaluation, looking at issues such as Kentucky's unique geological features, regulatory programs in other states and the use of newer mining techniques. The death of even one miner is tragic. Four deaths are simply unacceptable."

Russell L. Cole, 39, of Partridge in Letcher County, and Brandon Wilder, 23, were killed when a portion of the roof deep inside the Stillhouse Mining LLC No. 1 Mine collapsed late Wednesday.

Jimmy W. Anderson, 38, of Neon was killed in August 2004 in a roof fall at a mine in Knott County.  Edwin Pennington, 25, of Harlan, was killed in June 2004 in an accident at a mine in Bell County.

Editors note: Secretary Wilcher's statement follows.

Statement of Secretary LaJuana S. Wilcher

Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of the miners who have died or been injured in this accident in Harlan County.  Worker safety is a top priority for Governor Fletcher and the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, whether those workers are miners or construction workers, union or non-union, working above or below ground.

Four deaths in the last 13 months can be attributed to roof falls that occurred during retreat mining.  The death of even one miner is tragic. Four deaths are simply unacceptable.  As a result, this administration has a serious concern regarding the safety implications of retreat mining. 

Last year, following the deaths of two miners in retreat mining, we implemented a thorough inspection effort, visiting every mine in Kentucky conducting retreat mining and re-evaluating their roof control plans.  We wanted to ensure that each mine had the required roof control plan and was following the standards contained in those plans. We will now conduct an intensive investigation into this week's fatal accident.

But with the death of two more miners this week, we have serious concerns regarding the safety of retreat mining operations.  To address these concerns we will be undertaking a thorough and rigorous evaluation of the current regulations and statutory requirements governing retreat mining. We intend to utilize an outside, professional engineering company to perform this evaluation, looking at issues such as Kentucky's unique geological features, regulatory programs in other states, and the use of newer mining techniques.

New regulations or statutes may or may not be a part of the answer.  But it is time to re-examine retreat mining to ensure these operations are being conducted as safely as possible and determine if the human costs are too great a price to pay to extract a few more tons of coal."