{Charleston, West Virginia}...Mining engineering professors Michael Karmis of Virginia Tech, Keith Heasley of West Virginia University and Dr. David Wegman, a professor emeritus of work environment at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, have been selected to research ways to make U.S. coal mines safer. Their appointments announced Monday by Alpha Natural Resources are part of the company's settlement with the federal government following the 2010 Upper Big Branch explosion. Under the $210 million settlement, Virginia-based Alpha will invest $48 million in the foundation that will spearhead mine safety and health research and development.
