Massey moves to seal W.Va. coal mine where 29 died

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Massey Energy Co. is moving to seal a West Virginia coal mine where 29 miners died in an explosion a year ago.

A federal Mine Safety and Health Administration spokeswoman said Friday that the company has submitted a plan for sealing the Upper Big Branch mine. Amy Louviere says agency representatives plan to meet with Massey on May 5.

The southern West Virginia mine was the scene of the nation's deadliest coal mine explosion since 1970. The April 5, 2010 blast remains the subject of civil and criminal investigations.

Massey, meanwhile, is nearing completion of a $7.1 billion takeover by Abingdon, Va.-based rival Alpha Natural Resources.