Exhibit 99.3
International Coal Group Confirms Status of Accident Investigation and Confirms Identities of Deceased Sago Miners
ASHLAND, Ky., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ — Activity at the Sago Mine has now moved into the accident investigation phase. As previously noted, ICG and Sago Mine managers had a meeting with state and federal mine regulatory officials yesterday evening to discuss the path forward on the accident investigation and to confirm our determination to pursue answers. The immediate priorities for company officials will be to support the investigation and to address the needs of our employee families with respect to benefits and other assistance.
The names of the 12 Sago Mine employees that sadly lost their lives in the tragic mine explosion are as follows:
| Years | ||||||||||||
| Mining | ||||||||||||
| Name | Job Position | Experience | ||||||||||
| 1 | Terry Helms | Fire Boss/Mine Examiner | 29 | |||||||||
| 2 | Martin Toler Jr. | Section Foreman | 32 | |||||||||
| 3 | Alva M. Bennett | Continuous Miner Operator | 29 | |||||||||
| 4 | Fred Ware | Continuous Miner Operator | 37 | |||||||||
| 5 | Jesse Jones | Roof Bolter Operator | 16 | |||||||||
| 6 | Dave Lewis | Roof Bolter Operator | 1yr. 8mo. | |||||||||
| 7 | Jerry Groves | Roof Bolter Operator | 28 | |||||||||
| 8 | Tom Anderson | Shuttle Car Operator | 10 | |||||||||
| 9 | George Hamner Jr. | Shuttle Car Operator | 26 | |||||||||
| 10 | James Bennett | Shuttle Car Operator | 25 | |||||||||
| 11 | Marshall Winans | Scoop Operator | 23 | |||||||||
| 12 | Jackie Weaver | Section Electrician | 26 | |||||||||
During the investigation phase, it is likely that new information will come in very slowly because it is essential that every aspect of what led to the tragedy be studied carefully before the findings are announced. Therefore, company officials will no longer provide regularly scheduled media briefings. Instead, as soon as is appropriate, we will communicate the findings.
The company has designated Dix & Eaton as its media coordinator in an effort to provide timely and coordinated communications. The media contact is Gary Wells at phone number 1.606.920.7493.
SOURCE International Coal Group