"Cooperation, technical expertise and hard work contributed to the safe recovery efforts without injuries at Excel No. 3 mine," mine safety and health deputy assistant secretary John Correll said.

 

"Working together toward a common objective, industry and government recovered the mine in just 33 days, resuming production on February 21, and safely returning miners to their jobs."

 

The underground fire began in the coal mine's belt slope on Christmas Day 2004 while the operation was idle for the holidays.

 

Initial exploration revealed the fire area extended from the slope to the bottom of the return shaft. When direct firefighting methods proved unsuccessful, the mine was temporarily capped at its surface openings the following day.

 

Rapid response and an innovative recovery plan developed by rescue teams from MSHA, mine operator MC Mining, and the Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing, brought the situation quickly and safely under control.

 

The difficult location of the fire required a combination of modern technology and the established airlocking method. Airlocking is a system of doors arranged to allow the passage of mine rescue team members through each without permitting appreciable airflow.

 

MSHA employed its state-of-the-art robot to complete the first exploration of Excel #3.

 

More than 20 boreholes drilled into the mine were injected with inert gas and foam to help extinguish the fire. Boreholes were also used to evaluate the mine atmosphere to insure the safety of rescue personnel. Innovative ventilation techniques were required, with the main fan shaft having to be capped.

 

About 90 rescue personnel - including a number of Excel employees - collectively worked more than 3000 hours in extreme heat, and in mine openings as low as 18 inches, to contain the fire.