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Owners Mull Reopening Mine

With fate of missing miners still uncertain, economic issues surface

By Heather McPherson, Newser User

Posted Aug 22, 2007 12:49 PM CDT

(Newser) – Days after three more deaths ended efforts to rescue trapped miners, Crandall Canyon’s operators are talking about reopening the Utah mine—to mixed reaction from families and townspeople, according to the Times. Some wonder how the area is safe for mining but not for continuing recovery operations; others point to the mine's crucial place in the local economy.

“We were shocked that the subject was even brought up,” says a spokesman for the agency that must approve new mining. Owners would block off the area where six were trapped in the Aug. 6 collapse and focus elsewhere. “I can’t leave, to do what?” the nephew of a killed rescue worker said yesterday.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

Corey Black, son of Dale Black, left, Ashley Pruitt, Black's daughter;, center, and Wendy Black, Black's wife, hold hands during Dale Black's funeral at Huntington City Cemetery, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007,... (Associated Press)

Mourners look at photos of Dale Black as they arrive at a funeral service for him at the Little Bear campground near the Crandall Canyon Mine where six coal miners have been trapped since August 6, Tuesday,... (Associated Press)

Robert Murray, founder and chairman of Cleveland-based Murray Energy Corp., pauses while speaking during a news conference at the entrance to the Crandall Canyon Mine, in northwest of Huntington, Utah... (Associated Press)

Pastor Carl Sitterud sheds tears as he comforts Dale Black's son Corey, left, during a funeral service for Dale Black at the Little Bear campground near the Crandall Canyon Mine where six coal miners... (Associated Press)

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Owners Mull Reopening Mine