Statement by MSHA Assistant Secretary Joseph Main

WASHINGTON – Joseph A. Main assistant secretary of labor for the Mine Safety and Health Administration today issued the following statement:

"We have been in communication with Sen. Jay Rockefeller's office to make clear that the issuance of MSHA's final report into the explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine will not be delayed due to the concurrent investigation by the Department of Justice into potential criminal wrongdoing. We apologized for any misunderstanding.

"The Department of Justice's probe is proceeding independently from MSHA's investigation.; While MSHA is taking every precaution to ensure that we do not interfere with the Department of Justice's criminal inquiry, MSHA will issue a final report when our investigation is complete."