Jim Walter Settles Legal Cases Over 2001 Mine Disaster

AP has a story that Jim Walter Resources has settled all civil lawsuits related to twin explosions that killed thirteen miners at the Jim Walter No. 5 Mine near Brookwood, Ala., on September 23, 2001. No one was commenting or providing details, although the company president and CEO issued a statement expressing gratitude that the matter was resolved.

Nothing was said about $440,000 in civil penalties imposed by MSHA, which the company contested.

Apaprently the No. 5 mine is safe from closing for the present, and the company recently announced further investments in its No. 7 Mine due to an increasing price for metallurgical coal. The No. 7 mine had two fatalities in 2004.

References:
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050109/APN/501090801
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041216/flth014_1.html