Officials ‘discouraged’ by air quality in exploded mine

A MINING company executive said officials are “very discouraged” by air quality tests in the mine where 13 workers are trapped, and planned to drill a third hole to take additional air samples.

Ben Hatfield, chief executive officer of mine owner International Coal Group Inc said tests found that carbon monoxide levels far exceed federal regulatory limits in the Sago Mine 24 hours after an explosion.

Mr Hatfield made the comments after rescuers trying to reach the miners successfully punched a hole into the mine early yesterday. A camera was inserted into the 15.8cm hole to look for signs of life.