Massey Energy Statement on MSHA's Conflict of Interest Admission in Upper Big Branch Inquiry

JULIAN, W.Va., June 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Massey Energy Company (NYSE: MEE) today released the following statement after the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced that it abruptly dismissed MSHA staffer, Stephen Gigliotti, from the Upper Big Branch (UBB) mine probe due to inherent conflict of interest issues:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20071031/MASSEYENERGYLOGO )

"Today's revelation that an MSHA employee, with obvious and blatant conflict of interest issues was permitted to serve as a member of MSHA's UBB inspection team further reinforces the need for an independent inquiry into the April 5th accident. Such dubious actions continue to call into question whether MSHA has the intent to collaboratively work with other team inspectors in uncovering the true causes of the UBB accident in a manner that is unbiased and objective.

Over the last several weeks, Massey Energy along with the United Mine Workers of America, UBB families and those in the editorial community have been insisting on an open investigative process into what happened at UBB. An investigation that is independent, open to the public and fully transparent will prevent such egregious conflicts from arising.

Full disclosure and impartial examination of the facts should be the underlying purpose of the UBB investigation. However, based on Mr. Gigliotti's past participation in the inquiry, it is quite apparent that MSHA has ulterior motives to protect itself from scrutiny."  

Massey Energy Company, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, with operations in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia, is the largest coal producer in Central Appalachia and is included in the S&P 500 Index.  http://masseyubb.com

SOURCE Massey Energy Company

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