Alpha Natural Resources' has agreed to pay USD 200 million to resolve a range of civil and criminal charges linked to last year's West Virginia mine accident in which 29 men died.

The April 2010 accident at the Upper Big Branch mine, then owned by Massey Energy, was the worst U.S. mining disaster in four decades.

The Wall Street Journal, citing several people familiar with the settlement, said the settlement would resolve record civil fines that the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration were expected to issue
A company spokesman did not immediately respond to Reuters' request to confirm or deny the report.

Alpha acquired Massey on June 1 in a deal worth USD 7 billion, creating the second biggest US coal producer, with about 150 mines and 40 preparation plants. Part of its purchase price was to assume liabilities.

(Sourced from Reuters)