"MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A $35 million settlement between Massey Energy and some 600 southern West Virginia residents who blamed the mining company for poisoning their wells with coal slurry finally has court approval."

"Ohio County Circuit Judge James Mazzone signed an order declaring the deal reached July 27 'fair, just and reasonable under the circumstances.' Mazzone headed a three-judge Mass Litigation Panel that had been set to try the 7-year-old case against Massey and its Rawl Sales & Processing subsidiary.

Both companies were absorbed in June by Virginia-based Alpha Natural Resources. Under the deal, they admit no wrongdoing."

Vicki Smith  reports for the Associated Press December 8, 2011. [2]