West Virginia Governor Vows to Make Mines 'Safest in the World'

Jan. 23, 2006 — -- One day after the bodies of two miners were found in West Virginia, Gov. Joe Manchin promised to stop the mine disasters "with every breath in my body."

"We are frustrated, and I can tell you these brave men will not have died in vain," Manchin told "Good Morning America."

The deaths of Don I. Bragg, 33, and Ellery Hatfield, 47, at the Alma mine brings the mining death toll to 14 for the year.

Manchin said he would introduce legislation today to improve safety in the mines. His proposal has three parts -- rapid response, electronic tracking, and emergency oxygen reserves.

If the legislation passes, Manchin said, mining companies will be fined $100,000 if government officials are not informed of a disaster within 15 minutes of an accident. Electronic tracking devices would help rescuers search in the correct locations for missing miners and reduce rescue time. Strategically placed oxygen reserves could provide miners with up to three days' worth of oxygen.

"We will make the mines in West Virginia the safest in the United Sates and the safest in the world," Manchin said.

A Senate appropriations subcommittee scheduled hearings on mine safety today.

Manchin said he was going to Washington, and hoped to speak to President Bush about mine safety.