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Howard Berkes Howard Berkes is a correspondent for the NPR Investigations Unit.
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Mine Safety In America

Massey Execs' Access To Mine After Blast Questioned

NPR NEWS INVESTIGATION: The two officials were underground, unsupervised for as long as four hours after the explosion at the Upper Big Branch coal mine in April. Massey Energy says the pair were searching for survivors, but some investigators and experts are concerned they could have tampered with evidence.

Massey Execs' Access To Mine After Blast Questioned

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Chilean Mine Rescuers Face Daunting Challenge

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera holds up a plastic bag Sunday in Copiapo, Chile, containing a message from the trapped miners that reads, "We are OK in the refuge, the 33 miners." Hector Retamal/AP hide caption

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Latin America

Chilean Mine Rescuers Face Daunting Challenge

U.S. mining experts say Chilean authorities face two daunting tasks as they try to rescue 33 miners trapped underground since Aug. 5: drilling a wide borehole nearly a half-mile down to reach the miners; keeping the miners safe and sane during four months of expected drilling.

Chilean Mine Rescuers Face Daunting Challenge

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Mine Safety In America

Mine Disaster Answers Still Months Away

Federal mine safety officials urged caution in the wake of conflicting reports about the investigation of the April coal mine disaster in West Virginia that left 29 mineworkers dead. Mine owner Massey Energy has tried to present its own theory about the tragedy.

Mine Disaster Answers Still Months Away

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Investigations

Methane Monitors Recovered In Mine Blast Probe

Investigators have recovered three key pieces of evidence in the explosion that killed 29 mine workers in West Virginia on April 5, NPR has learned. The evidence includes two safety devices that sound alarms and shut down mining machines when methane gas approaches explosive levels. Investigators want to know whether the devices were a factor in the blast.

Methane Monitors Recovered In Mine Blast Probe

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Mine Safety In America

Massey Eyes Methane As Cause Of Mine Blast

An information vacuum in the investigation of the deadly mine disaster in West Virginia in April has mine owner Massey Energy suggesting possible causes of the explosion. The latest involves a massive infusion of methane gas before the blast.

Massey Eyes Methane As Cause Of Mine Blast

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Rush Of Gas Caused Mine Blast, Massey Theorizes

Don L. Blankenship, chairman and chief executive officer of Massey Energy Company (left), watches as protesters disrupt a luncheon at the National Press Club, where he spoke on Thursday. Wayne Huang/NPR hide caption

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Mine Safety In America

Rush Of Gas Caused Mine Blast, Massey Theorizes

In twin assaults Thursday, both Massey Energy and CEO Don Blankenship suggested that an "overwhelming" rush of methane gas may have been the cause of a deadly April 5 explosion at Massey's Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia. Mine safety officials are skeptical.

Mine Safety In America

Massey Floats New Theory For Cause Of Mine Blast

Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship spoke at the National Press Club in Washington on Thursday as his company floated a new theory for the cause of the April 5th explosion that killed 29 mine workers. The theory appears to be the latest attempt by the company to deflect criticism of its own safety practices.

Massey Floats New Theory For Cause Of Mine Blast

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