BACKGROUND
On April 5, 2010 an explosion occured in the Upper Big Branch mine owned and operated by Massey Energy. Twenty-nine miners were killed. This was the worst mine disaster in the United States since 1970, when 38 miners were killed in a Kentucky mine.  (By comparison, from 2003-2009 there were an average of 57 mining fatalities each year.)

ETHICAL ISSUES

• To what extent is the mining company and its CEO (Don Blankenship) responsible for the explosion and deaths?
• To what extent did the Mine Safety and Health Administration fail in its responsibility to insure safe mine operations?
• What are the ethical ramifications of the country’s dependence on coal as a source of electricity?

RESOURCES

Mine Safety and Healt Administration Website: http://www.msha.gov/