2/15/2003

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) Heavy rains across the southern region of West Virginia caused a sediment overflow at a Mingo County mine Saturday.

A sediment ditch at the White Flame Energy Inc. mine near Ragland overflowed, spreading mud and debris into the yards of two nearby homes, said Department of Environmental Protection Mining and Reclamation Director Matthew Crum. A nearby business was also surrounded by the debris.

Crum said mud and debris two to four feet deep had piled against a wall of one of the homes.

Harold Ward, Environmental Inspector with the DEP in Logan County, estimated that between 2,000 and 10,000 yards of material flowed out of the sediment ditch and into the surrounding area. He said that because of the nature of the overflow, it is hard to provide a narrower estimate.

The DEP was notified by nearby residents of the overflow at about 10:30 a.m. Ward said residents also called the mining company.

Crum said the flood is under control, and both White Flame and DEP workers are still at the site.

He said the company would at minimum be issued a notice of violation for offsite violation.