Pinnacle management said the closure of the mine is due to a ventilation disruption most likely caused by a lightning strike to a borehole in a mined out area of the mine. The mine has been idle since September 1.

The original explosion on September 1 was followed less than two weeks later by a second explosion in the gob area. About a dozen workers were repairing damage from the Labor Day explosion when the second blast took place, however all the workers were safely evacuated from the mine without incident.

Pinnacle's management has taken steps to inert the atmosphere in the mine and are working with appropriate state and federal agencies, as well as the UMWA, to reopen the mine.

An industry source indicated Pinnacle were utilising an inertisation system bought in from Poland and Polish teams to inertise the underground mine atmosphere.

The mine originally requested the GAG jet engine equipment be sent over from Australia, however, Queensland Mine Rescue Service (QMRS) were unable to supply the technology or personnel required due to commitments in Australia.

“At the time of the request we had a staff shortage of two people (out of five operators) and it would have been difficult for us to respond both here in Australia or overseas,” said Queensland Mine Rescue chairman Ray Parkin.

He said the mine had been having technical discussions with QMRS.

Natural Resource Partners said its third quarter results were unlike to be affected by the fire because Pinnacle continued to ship coal from its inventory for several weeks after the mine shut down.

Prior to the disruption, NRP's estimated fourth quarter 2003 royalty from the mine was approximately US$1.6 million.