Mining Rule on Coal Dust Becomes Permanent

Federal regulators are making permanent an emergency rule implemented last year requiring underground mines to do more to control explosive coal dust.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration announced the final rule this past Monday. The rule was issued last September, five months after 29 miners were killed in an explosion at West Virginia’s Upper Big Branch Mine.

The change increased the amount of pulverized stone or other inert material that mines must use to dilute coal dust in tunnels that bring fresh air underground.

An independent report by a former top federal mine regulator released last month blamed Massey Energy Co. for allowing highly explosive coal dust and methane gas to accumulate in the Upper Big Branch mine. MSHA has yet to release its final report.