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West Virginia Mining Disasters Gov. Joe Manchin has called for a temporary halt to coal mining in West Virginia after the deaths of 16 men in four accidents since Jan. 2. Manchin wants mining to cease until safety checks can be conducted. The deadliest incident was at the Sago mine, where 12 men died.
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West Virginia Mining Disasters

The deaths of 16 men in four coal mine disasters raise new questions about mining safety.

Sago Mine Rescuer Admits Giving False Hope

A rescuer testifying at a public hearing into West Virginia's Sago mine disaster admits to mistakenly saying the trapped miners were alive, when in fact the sole survivor had been located. The rescuer nearly broke down while describing finding the dead miners.

Sago Mine Rescuer Admits Giving False Hope

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Tension, Emotion Run High at Mine-Safety Meeting

In Buckhannon, W.Va., two-day hearings begin about the Sago Mine accident that killed 12 people on Jan. 2. Family members of the dead miners gave statements, and company officials presented their take on the accident, as well.

Tension, Emotion Run High at Mine-Safety Meeting

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Sago Miners' Reserve Air Failed, Survivor Says

At least four emergency air packs issued at the Sago Mine failed to function, says West Virginia coal miner Randal McCloy. The lone survivor of the Jan. 2 disaster, in which 12 miners died, detailed the failures in a letter to the families of those who died after an explosion trapped them underground.

Sago Miners' Reserve Air Failed, Survivor Says

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Mine Company: Lightning Caused Deadly Blast

After its own investigation, the owners of a West Virginia coal mine where 12 miners died announced that lightning caused the deadly explosion early this year. This declaration allows the company to restart production at Sago Mine on Wednesday. State and federal officials continue their investigations. Dan Heyman of West Virginia Public Broadcasting reports.

Mine Company: Lightning Caused Deadly Blast

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W. Va. Governor Wants Full-Time Mine Rescue Teams

Two months after the deadly Sago Mine accident, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III wants the Bush administration to require that full-time rescue teams be in place to respond to coal mine accidents. Noah Adams discusses mine safety with Ken Ward, a reporter for West Virginia's Charleston Gazette, who has written several articles on the subject.

W. Va. Governor Wants Full-Time Mine Rescue Teams

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Lawmakers Blast Mining Industry Safety Standards

In the wake of recent, high-profile West Virginia mine disasters, House members grill mining officials about a lack of potentially lifesaving equipment for workers underground. Federal authorities draw criticism for not collecting fines from companies with safety violations.

Lawmakers Blast Mining Industry Safety Standards

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Coal Mines Reopening to Meet U.S. Energy Demands

Coal miners around the country are being asked to review safety procedures Monday. The move comes after a series of accidents in West Virginia that killed 16 coal miners. As energy prices have soared, more coal mines have reopened in Appalachia, including some of the mines involved in the accidents.

Coal Mines Reopening to Meet U.S. Energy Demands

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More Deaths Prompt Shutdown of W.Va. Mines

West Virginia's coal mines are expected to temporarily shut down for safety reviews. West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin called for the halt in production after two miners were killed in separate incidents Wednesday. The state has seen 16 mine-related deaths since January. Anna Sale of West Virginia Public Broadcasting reports.

More Deaths Prompt Shutdown of W.Va. Mines

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New Federal Mine Safety Rules Criticized

As investigators piece together what caused the underground fire at West Virginia's Aracoma mine last week, critics charge that the Bush administration's new mining safety policies may be increasing the risk of such fires.

New Federal Mine Safety Rules Criticized

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Judge Backs Union Role in Sago Probe

A federal judge says union members may join government investigators inside West Virginia's Sago Mine, site of a disaster that killed 14 workers. As Anna Sale of WVPR reports, union members were blocked from entering the mine Wednesday and told they couldn't monitor an investigator's interviews last week.

Judge Backs Union Role in Sago Probe

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Mining Tragedies Spur Analysis in Pennsylvania

response to mining tragedies that took the lives of 14 West Virginia miners in the last month. The disasters have also amped up pressure in neighboring Pennsylvania, another mining state. Pennsylvania hasn't updated its mining laws in more than 40 years. That may change next week. Guest: Amy Worden, reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer

Mining Tragedies Spur Analysis in Pennsylvania

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W. Va. Legislature OKs Measures to Protect Miners

West Virginia's state legislature has quickly passed a bill aimed at giving miners a better chance of surviving accidents. Gov. Joe Manchin submitted the bill, which calls for faster notification when an accident occurs and additional oxygen supply underground

W. Va. Legislature OKs Measures to Protect Miners

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W. Va. Leaders Call for New Mining Regulations

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin is pushing for new federal and state mine-safety regulations after two recent accidents in his state killed 14 miners. The new laws would focus on improving rescue efforts and communication.

W. Va. Leaders Call for New Mining Regulations

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Spate of Miner Deaths Alarms Lawmakers

Two workers were found dead yesterday after an underground fire at a mine in Melville, West Virginia. This comes just weeks after 12 miners died at another West Virginia mine. Congressional hearings begin Monday into the Sago mine disaster in West Virginia three weeks ago.

Spate of Miner Deaths Alarms Lawmakers

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Two Trapped Miners Found Dead in West Virginia

Searchers have recovered the bodies of two coal miners missing since a fire broke out on Thursday. Anna Sale of West Virginia Public Radio fills Debbie Elliott in on the details.

Two Trapped Miners Found Dead in West Virginia

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Opinion

How Race Could Have Colored Sago Disaster

With the lone survivor of the Sago mine explosion fighting for his life, commentator John McCann says that the public outcry over the 12 coal miners killed in a West Virginia mine explosion would have been colored by questions of racism had they been black. McCann is a columnist for The Herald-Sun newspaper in Durham, N.C.

How Race Could Have Colored Sago Disaster

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State Probe Under Way into Sago Mining Disaster

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin has appointed former federal mine safety official Davitt McAteer to head a special state investigation into conditions in the coal industry. The probe comes after an explosion at the Sago coal mine that killed 12 miners. Anna Sale of West Virginia Public Radio reports.

State Probe Under Way into Sago Mining Disaster

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Opinion

Growing Up in a Coal Town: Stay Home or Leave?

Commentator Natasha Watts is from the third generation of a coal mining family in Kentucky. The recent deaths of miners at the Sago Mine in West Virginia mirrored a similar mining accident in her home town decades ago, and reminds her of her own dilemma: whether to stay in the mountains with her family, or leave the coal industry behind.

Growing Up in a Coal Town: Stay Home or Leave?

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Vigil Held for Lost West Virginia Miners

A candlelight vigil was held last night in Barbour County, W.Va., for the 12 men who died in last week's Sago Mine explosion. People shared poems songs, and scripture as a way to comfort the community. Emily Corio of West Virginia Public Broadcasting reports.

Vigil Held for Lost West Virginia Miners

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