February 17th, 2005

A federal indictment in Monday claims that more than 120 people suffered illness or death due to asbestos contamination from a Montana mine. It is claimed that W R Grace and top executives knew about the dangers posed by the Libby mine, and that W R Grace attempted to keep these dangers secret from both workers and nearby residents, all of whom were endangered by the asbestos contamination from the mine.

The Libby mine was operated for three decades, and it was claimed by a federal jury that there were a number of reports confirming the dangers of the asbestos contamination, which Grace executives kept concealed. It was further claimed that the former mine manager, Alan Stringer, obstructed the efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency to highlight and identify the contamination problem.

The area has since been declared a superfund site by the Environmental Protection Agency, and so far over fifty million dollars has been spent on the clean up. Bill Mercer, the US Attorney for Montana stated: "A human and environmental tragedy has occurred in Libby. This prosecution seeks to hold Grace and some of its executives responsible for the misconduct alleged in this indictment."

With regards to the indictment and allegation, W R Grace stated: "We are surprised by the government's methods and disappointed by its determination to bring these allegations. And though court rules prohibit us from commenting on the merits of the government's charges, we look forward to setting the record straight in a court of law."