Explosions continue at Shoal Creek mine

London (Platts)--2Mar2006

Methane gas explosions continued at Drummond's Shoal Creek mine in Jefferson
County, Alabama.

According to the Mine Safety and Health Administration, two explosions
occurred Sunday and Monday. The first explosion occurred at 2:30 pm on
February 26 and the second at 2 pm on February 27. MSHA also said several low
level explosions erupted Tuesday night. No one was hurt in any of the
incidents.

"We have not been able to enter the mine due to the gas levels, so it's hard
to know exactly where the explosions are occurring," MSHA spokeswoman Amy
Louviere told Platts Wednesday.

Boreholes have been drilled to pour water into the mine, Louviere said. A
camera was inserted inside one of the holes and fire damage could not be seen.
Emergency officials plan to drill several new holes.

"We've had people on site since we were first brought to the mine last Friday
morning," Louviere said. MSHA has two technical support people on site who are
experts in the gas field and one district supervisor who is there around the
clock. 

MSHA has invoked its 103(k) rule, requiring the mine operator to get
permission before re-opening the mine.

"We do not have a statement to give at this time," a woman at Drummond told
Platts Wednesday.

Shoal Creek has been closed since the first methane explosion on February 24
(PCT 2/27).

- Regina Johnson, regina_johnson@platts.com

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