Emergency responders are in a race against time to rescue a miner trapped in a flooded coal mine in West Virginia. The incident occurred in the Rolling Thunder mine, located near Drennen, approximately 50 miles east of Charleston. Rescuers plan to deploy an underwater drone to assist in the operation.
Details of the Incident
On Saturday, a mining crew unknowingly breached a water pocket about three-quarters of a mile into the mine. The incident was reported to local emergency management around 1:30 p.m. Fortunately, all other miners were accounted for following the accident.
Response Efforts
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey stated that the flooding resulted from a compromised wall in an old mine. Multiple state agencies are collaborating to manage the emergency, which includes efforts to pump water from the affected area.
About the Rolling Thunder Mine
- Rolling Thunder is among eleven underground mines operated by Alpha Metallurgical Resources Inc. in West Virginia.
- The company also runs four surface mines in the state.
- Additionally, they operate three underground and one surface mine in Virginia.
Previous Assessments
A report from February by Marshall Miller & Associates provided crucial insights into the mine’s geological history. This report indicated that the area had been thoroughly explored by prior owners, yielding extensive historical data on the site.
According to this assessment, the Rolling Thunder coal seam is situated along and beneath TwentyMile Creek’s drainage. Despite past mining activities, the report noted there were “no significant hydrologic concerns” regarding further coal extraction.
The situation remains critical as rescue operations continue, and the safety of the trapped miner is the top priority for all involved.
