Court Approves Massey Slurry Settlement

{Morgantown, West Virginia}...A $35 million settlement between Massey Energy and some 600 southern West Virginia residents has court approval. Current and former residents of Rawl, Lick Creek, Merrimac and Sprigg had accused Massey of contaminating their aquifer and wells by pumping 1.4 billion gallons of toxic coal slurry into worked-out underground mines between 1978 and 1987. Wednesday, Ohio County Circuit Judge James Mazzone signed an order declaring the deal reached July 27th "fair, just and reasonable under the circumstances." Mazzone headed a three-judge Mass Litigation Panel that had been set to try the 7-year-old case against Massey and its Rawl Sales & Processing subsidiary. The order directs Alpha Appalachia Holdings Inc. to pay up within 30 days. It also schedules a hearing for December 16th to hear from any guardians for minors who have yet to appear and to hear a petition for approval of wrongful death settlements.