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Colton Walls, 34, of Bruceton Mills, was injured while working
as a longwall electrician at the underground Leer Mining Complex
operated by Arch Resources in Grafton, Gov. Jim Justice said in
a statement. According to the U.S. Mine Safety and Health
Administration, the incident happened Sept. 28.
Walls is survived by his wife, Jonda, and three children,
Justice said.
“The heart and soul of West Virginia are found in our coal
miners, and today, we grieve the loss of one of our own,” the
governor said.
The statement did not disclose further details about the
accident, which is under investigation by MSHA and the state
Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training.
It was the fifth reported coal fatality of the year in West
Virginia and the 10th nationally, according to MSHA. There were
nine such U.S. deaths last year.
In August, Arch Resources and Consol Energy announced they are
combining to form a single coal producer valued at more than $5
billion, marking the latest consolidation in a deal-happy energy
sector.
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