WASHINGTON -- Federal investigators looking into last month's deadly blast at Upper Big Branch coal mine in West Virginia have set up an anonymous tip line for people with information that could aid the investigations.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration created a separate group, led by former MSHA employee Robert Phillips, to serve as a clearinghouse for tips and funnel them to MSHA officials or criminal investigators from the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Tipsters can call 877-827-3966.
The April 5 blast killed 29 miners, the worst mine disaster in 40 years.
MSHA also announced Wednesday that it will form a separate team to conduct an internal review of the agency's actions leading up to the explosion. Led by Jack Kuzar of the agency's Wilkes-Barre office, the review is the latest in a series of overlapping inquiries surrounding the high-profile tragedy. West Virginia officials, both houses of Congress and an independent group led by former MSHA head J. Davitt McAteer also are probing the blast.
MSHA spokeswoman Amy Louviere said the tip line will add another source for investigators to get as much help as possible.
"It's just another vehicle for getting information and hopefully somebody who has something, but were tentative about wanting to speak to anyone, hopefully this will give them an outlet," Ms. Louviere said.
On Wednesday, Massey Energy, the Virginia-based coal giant that owns Upper Big Branch, called for a public hearing by MSHA on the explosion -- which would give the agency subpoena power for witnesses and documents but potentially expose its own failings in the run-up to the blast.
"To be credible, any such hearing must also be fair," Massey said in a statement.
"Any hearing must encompass the basic principles of due process. To the greatest possible extent, basic protections must be in place to ensure that the hearing develops a complete and balanced public record. Massey supports a hearing that is fair and credible, as well as open and transparent."
MSHA officials were scheduled to meet with the families of the dead miners Wednesday night to discuss the investigation, but workers still are unable to enter the mine because of dangerously high concentrations of gases, Ms. Louviere said.
More details about how the investigation and potential public hearing will proceed are expected today.
First Published: May 6, 2010, 4:00 a.m.
