The mine liberates approximately 318,000 cubic feet of methane in 24 hours. The immediate mine roof typically consists of approximately ten to fifteen feet of gray shale, periodically interbedded with sandstone. The main roof consists of sandstone and shale with a maximum overburden of 500 feet. Thirty-one underground miners and three surface personnel are employed at the mine. The mine operates three, eight hour shifts per day, five days a week.
Maintenance is performed on the midnight shift.
The mine produces an average of 1,000 clean tons of coal daily. At the time of the accident, the 001-0 MMU section had been developed approximately 10,100 feet inby the portals. The Roof Control Plan requires, as a minimum the installation of four foot, resin-grouted roof bolts on a four foot by four foot pattern. Maximum entry and crosscut widths are 20 feet. The maximum cut depth is limited to 20 feet.