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Mine Owner to Pay $209 Million for West Virginia Disaster

The mining giant Alpha Natural Resources has agreed to pay a $209 million settlement for the West Virginia mine explosion that killed 29 workers last year. Each of the 29 workers’ families will receive $1.5 million, while Alpha will pay a record fine of $10.8 million. Alpha assumed responsibility for liability after purchasing the mine’s owner, Massey Energy, earlier this year. The company will be released from civil liability and criminal penalties in return for the payment. But the deal does not rule out the prosecution of Massey officials, including former CEO Don Blankenship. Prosecutors say an investigation of Massey executives is ongoing.

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