Together, the state and MSHA made a commitment to the families that we could conduct a fair, open investigation, and we decided we needed to take this extraordinary step to keep that commitment.

They are proven. They rely on reliable equipment.

We think that in a dark, smoke-filled atmosphere that this will go a long way to ensuring the successful evacuation of the mine.

Some of the Sago miners requested that the United Mine Workers be their representatives for the purposes of this investigation, and they have a right to be there. Together, the state and MSHA made a...