Washington Post: West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III (D) asked all underground coal mines in his state on Wednesday to halt production for one day, so that workers can review safety issues in the wake of the April 5 explosion that killed 29 miners south of Charleston.
The governor's request for what he called a "Day of Honor and Mourning" on Friday would shut down one of the state's biggest industries, idling 290 underground mines, curtailing nearly 400,000 tons of coal output and affecting about 15,000 people who work below
the surface in the coal fields. Coal mining overall accounts for 6 percent of West Virginia's gross domestic product, more than any other sector.The Washington Post also states that Manchin ordered state inspectors to reexamine mines, starting with those whose past violations carry the greatest risk of a similar explosion to the one at Upper Big Branch mine. The new inspections will take weeks, at least, officials said: Many mines have accumulated scores or hundreds of safety violations, a significant number of them for problems with ventilation or combustible materials, an issue thought to have played a role in last week's explosion.
"Mine health and safety laws are in place to protect our coal miners, but it's clear that a breakdown occurred and we lost 29 miners who should be with us today," Manchin said in a statement.
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