OT: THEY FOUND THE MINERS ALIVE!!

Hi Maureen. I'm happy that they found the other 12 miners alive. I wonder where the 13th one was located, the one that died? I wonder if he (or she, I'm not sure) was cut off from the rest of the group?

Donna in Philly

I was wondering the same thing. I'm so grateful for the 12 they found, what a nightmare for everyone.... Marie and the cats

TALLMANSVILLE, West Virginia (Reuters) - Twelve missing miners were found alive in a West Virginia coal mine nearly two days after they fled an explosion that sent lethal gases through the mine and killed one of their colleagues, family members said.

Rescue workers located the 12 men, who had been trapped underground since

6:30 a.m. (1130 GMT) on Monday and were bringing them out of the Sago mine in central West Virginia, family members said. Anna McCloy, whose husband Randall McCloy was rescued said "This is wonderful, wonderful news, they are coming out."

Officials said the man who died appeared to have been let off the vehicle carrying his colleagues and was close to the explosion site, while the other

12, many of them veterans of the mine, had been deeper inside.

Church bells rang at the Sago Baptist Church where family members had waited fearfully for more than 36 hours and cheers broke out when the announcement was made. West Virginia officials had tried to maintain hope among the families, saying they should pray for a miracle.

Any hope of finding the men alive had been tempered with heavy caution because early tests found lethal levels of carbon monoxide in the tunnel where they were believed trapped. Each man carried about one hour's worth of clean air.

There had been no communication with the miners since the explosion, W. Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin told reporters.

There was no explanation for the explosion, which occurred

in a recently closed section of the mine that employs about 145 miners.

"We know that there had to be methane gas, or a buildup of fuel if you will, back there, and there had to be something that sparked it. And no one can speculate on ... what could have happened," Manchin said.

EXPLOSIVE GAS

He said there had been no cave-in but the explosion had broken seals preventing bad air from circulating in the mine as well as gas from the explosion. "Our employees were no doubt trying to find a safe way to exit the mine," he said.

The men had been trapped more than 13,000 feet (4,000 metres) inside the mine.

The incident came four years after nine Pennsylvania coal miners were rescued following a 77-hour ordeal in a flooded mine shaft 240 feet under ground.

The explosion happened when the mine was reopening after being closed for the holidays, said Manchin's spokeswoman Lara Ramsburg.

Since October, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued 50 citations to Sago mine, some as recently as December 21, including citations for accumulation of combustible materials such as coal dust and loose coal.

The mine produces about 800,000 tons of coal annually and employs about 130 people.

(Additional reporting by Chriss Swaney in Pittsburgh, Claudia Parsons in New York, Adam Entous in Washington)

yippie a ti oh!!!! west Virginia rocks!!!! Maggie

"Maureen In Vancouver, B.C." wrote in message news:6WIuf.129159$2k.91489@pd7tw1no...

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Just read some updated news, and the miner that didn't make it was found 700 feet from the mine car, they think he was working on a conveyor belt, that's why he wasn't with the others. Marie and the cats

I don't believe this! There was a mistake. None of the miners made it out alive. I'm stunned by this news. Those poor families! I think they should shut down all mines. Find another, safer source of energy.

Maureen

Hi Maureen (again!) Can you believe this? Absolutely stunning...now they're saying only one survived....I can't even to begin to imagine how the families must feel...

Donna in Philly

What??? I haven't heard this. Keith and I were talking about them last night, as we were sure there was no hope. This is great news!

Higs, Kather> Hey everybody,

OH, no! My prayers will be with their families.

Higs, Kather> I don't believe this! There was a mistake. None of the miners made

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"Maureen In Vancouver, B.C." wrote in message news:6WIuf.129159$2k.91489@pd7tw1no...

The first body was found separate from the twelve others Tuesday nite. Early Wednesday morning, someone overhead (make that MISheard, heard what they WANTED to 'hear') a transmission regarding the finding of the remaining twelve, and spread that mis-report like wild-fire..... N.

OMG!! THAT IS AMAZING!!! I hadn't had the news on yet today, & was shocked to see this !

Power in prayer & togetherness!:>)

We heard on our news that this wasn't so, something got messed up and misunderstood... how dreadful if hopes were built up for nothing,

cheers........Cher

"Maureen In Vancouver, B.C." wrote in message news:6WIuf.129159$2k.91489@pd7tw1no...

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The sad thing right now with regards to safer energy sources, is that the only other economically feasible sources--oil and nuclear energy-- are safer, but not really by much. Oil spills, industrial accidents, radioactive waste are all unsafe for more than just the workers. Solar, hydroelectric, and wind are Green and safe for workers, but not economically feasable. Hydrogen and natural gas are about the closest I've seen for any time in the near future (maaaaybe biodeisel, but that's still dependant on petroleum). South American countries are doing well with ethanol made from sugar cane, but I don't see that as a crop that will be mass produced in the US any time soon, at least not without a huge shift in our transportation systems.

-Amanda

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Anyone have any update on the one miner brought out alive earlier today in the early hours of this morning... Cheers............Cher

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Sorry - I don't agree with you there. Here in Manitoba, Canada, most of our power is hydroelectric. In fact we call it "hydro", not electricity. We generate so much power, we sell it to other provinces and some states. Our Hydro is owned by the province and generates profits every year. Recently a large wind farm has been set up by private industry with more to come. It may be a little more expensive for wind power, but I would gladly pay to have it. As it is, our electricity (hydro) rates are among the lowest in North America. It also provides jobs for thousands of people.

Natural gas prices are doing the same thing as the price of gas for your car. I saw a thing on the news the other day that from one year ago, gasoline prices have gone up by 40%, and natural gas prices by 80%. I'm really glad I have electric heat and don't have to depend on natural gas to keep me warm. We also have a woodstove for emergencies if the power happens to go out.

We also produce methanol here on the prairies from wheat. It is sold in regular gas stations by one company called "Mohawk". And I know wheat is grown in the US. ;>)

Shelagh

He has a collapsed lung, but they don't think that there is brain damage.

Higs, Kather> Anyone have any update on the one miner brought out alive earlier

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