US Attorney for West Virginia's Southern District, Booth Goodwin, said late last week that six federal “information” charges had been filed against Donald Hagy, 47; Terry Shadd, 37, Edward Ellis Jr, 38, and Michael Plumley, 38.

An information charge typically means that the defendants have cooperated with the prosecutors and may opt to plead guilty.

According to the filing, the men did not conduct required safety drills for their crews at the Logan County, West Virginia, operation in 2005 and 2006.

The charges that the office has filed stem from a long-term federal investigation by the US Mine Safety and Health Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding the fatal Aracoma mine fire.

Goodwin said the newest charges brought the investigation to a close.

“Workers shouldn’t be forced to earn their living in illegal, unsafe conditions,” Goodwin said.

“We will continue to use every tool in our arsenal to hold accountable those who willfully violate safety standards in the work place.”

MSHA assistant secretary for coal mine safety and health Joe Main added: “Mine managers who shirk their responsibility for ensuring the safety of their miners will be held to account using all available sanctions under the Mine Act.”

Massey Energy responded Friday that it took escapeways drill requirements seriously, and would be closely monitoring the situation.

“We expect all of our miners to follow state and federal laws as well as company policies, which are often more stringent.

“At the same time, we must recognize that the miners who have been charged have due process rights and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

Massey’s Aracoma Coal was previously charged with nine counts of willful violation of mandatory safety standards – one resulted in the workers’ deaths – and also with making false statements.

The company paid $US4.2 million in fines and penalties as a result of those charges.