OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING
     RECLAMATION & ENFORCEMENT

For Release May 19, 1995                 Alan Cole (202) 208-2719

   INTERIOR ADVISORY WARNS OF MINE BLOWOUT HAZARDS, ASKS HELP

     Robert J. Uram, Director of the Interior Department's Office
of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), has sent an
advisory to state, regional, and national coal mining
associations alerting them to deadly mine blowout hazards and
seeking their cooperation in safeguarding the public from such
dangers.

     The advisory was triggered by a violent eruption on May 13,
1995, caused by pressurized water inside flooded workings of an
underground coal mine in Buchanan County, Virginia.  The blowout
blasted its way through a hillside coal outcrop, killing a woman
who lived nearby, severely damaging her home, uprooting large
trees, and cutting a state highway with the powerful erosive
force of the outrushing water.  The victim was 25 years old.

     In his advisory to coal industry associations, Uram said, "I
am calling this incident to your attention not only out of
concern for the victim and her family, but also to heighten your
awareness of unseen blowout hazards so that we can work together
to avert any recurrence."  He asked for help in determining the
best ways to search for solutions to the problem of potential
mine blowouts, including figuring out how best to identify active
and inactive mines that have blowout potential.

     Uram said the Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy of
the Commonwealth of Virginia has initiated an investigation into
causes of the fatal blowout to develop ways of preventing
injuries or loss of life from similar incidents.  To aid in that
effort, Uram said he is making technical assistance from OSM
available to Virginia officials.

     "It is clear that extreme caution is called for when
underground mines impound water upslope of outcrops, highwalls,
and active or inactive underground mine workings,"  Uram said. 
"I would like to count on the assistance of mine operators and
coal industry organizations in the search for the most practical
ways to prevent future mine blowout accidents."

                              -DOI-

(A copy of the advisory follows) 

SAFETY ADVISORY FOR:  Coal Mining Associations
DATE:  May 18, 1995
FROM:  Bob Uram, OSM Director
SUBJECT:  Underground Mine Blowout Dangers

A woman was killed on Saturday, May 13, 1995, by a violent
blowout of impounded water from underground coal mine workings in
Buchanan County, Virginia.  The victim was 25 years old.  The
force of the blowout uprooted large trees, severely damaged the
victim's home, and cut off a state highway due to erosion from
the massive outflow.  Copies of news accounts are attached, for
your information.

I am calling this incident to your attention not only out of
concern for the victim and her family, but also to heighten your
awareness of unseen blowout hazards so that we can work together
to avert any recurrence.  For instance, we would like to get your
help in determining the best ways to approach the search for
solutions to this deadly problem.  That includes determining how
best to identify mines, both active and inactive, that have
blowout potential.  It includes surveying what can be done,
short-term and long-term, to make sure that adequate safeguards
are in place.  For the immediate future, it includes having all
coal mine operators examine their own operations to see that
potentially dangerous situations are not created.

The Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy of the Commonwealth
of Virginia has initiated an investigation into causes of the
fatal incident to develop ways of preventing injuries or loss of
life from similar incidents.  While that work proceeds, I am
making technical assistance from OSM available to Virginia
officials to aid in their effort.  I am also calling on our
sister agency in the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Bureau
of Mines, to make mine blowout hazards a priority topic of the
Bureau's program of research and technologic work.  OSM Field
Offices have been alerted and are being instructed to include
protection against mine blowout hazards as an area of state
program oversight.

From what was reported, it is clear that extreme caution is
called for when underground mines impound water upslope of
outcrops, highwalls, and active or inactive underground mine
workings.  I would like to count on the assistance of mine
operators and coal industry organizations like yours in the
search for the most practical ways to prevent future mine blowout
accidents.  I encourage you to contact your state surface mine
regulatory authorities and your OSM contacts, or contact me
directly, with your best ideas for safeguarding America's
coalfield citizens against this potentially deadly hazard.

                              Sincerely,
                              (s) Robert J. Uram