Judge bars protesters from Massey mines in W.Va.

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February 1, 2010

Click at right to read the order and the opinion

TIM HUBER The Daily Independent Mon Feb 01, 2010, 01:52 PM EST

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Coal producer Massey Energy has won a federal court order temporarily barring surface mining protesters from its southern West Virginia properties.

Massey wants the ban imposed for good. It will seek an extension at a hearing Thursday after winning the temporary order last week.

U.S. District Judge Irene Berger granted the request in conjunction with a lawsuit filed by Massey targeting protesters who've spent the past year invading the Richmond, Va.-based company's mine sites.

The lawsuit names five people involved in a recent tree-sitting protest. Massey also wants at least $75,000 in damages.

The protesters hope to persuade the Obama administration to ban surface mining in the region. They haven't responded yet to Massey's lawsuit.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.

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Judge bars protesters from Massey mines in W.Va.

Click at right to read the order and the opinion

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