Panel wants investigation of Crandall Mine

WASHINGTON, March 12 (UPI) -- Months before several coal miners were killed in the Crandall Canyon mine in Utah, at least two officials noted problems in the company's operating plan.

For that reason, a Senate panel wants the U.S. Justice Department to investigate claims that Murray Energy Corp. was warned its operation was unstable,The Salt Lake Tribune reported Wednesday.

The newspaper reported that Pete Del Duca, a federal Mine Safety and Health Administration engineer determined in September 2006 that the company's plan to remove most of two ground-stabilizing "barrier pillars" would not work.

Del Duca's analysis was rejected by his supervisor after discussions with Murray Energy, the Tribune said.

Leo Gilbride of Agapito Associates Inc., a consultant for the company, also noted there were potential problems at the mine, drawing two circles on a mine map and writing on the side "Dangerous?" and "Danger?"

He marked the location on the map where a six-man crew was working when the mine collapsed. They died and three rescuers were killed in another implosion 10 days later.