The mine co-owner further defended himself early Wednesday against criticisms from the families, "I didn't desert anybody. I've been living on this mountain every day, living in a little trailer," said Murray to AP.
Emotions have run high, with the families and miners' rights groups blaming Murray Energy Corp and the federal Government for not stopping miners from working in a mine they contend is too dangerous.
"No one took the time to see that it was a recipe for disaster," said Phil Smith, a spokesman for the United Mine Workers of America, on Tuesday.
Six miners working in Crandall Canyon mine in Utah have been trapped since the cave-in on August 6. Rescuers were hopeful at first when an earlier test indicated good air levels and after detecting a "noise" or vibration last week.
Rescuers continue to be optimistic even after three rescue workers were killed and another six injured last Thursday during a third cave-in since the initial disaster.
However, Sunday's air test coupled with two weeks of rescue efforts and no strong evidence of life had officials quickly losing hope.
Workers are finishing the fifth borehole, more than 2,000 feet deep, into the mountain but officials expect to also find insufficient air there. Rescuers will take air readings, lower a microphone and camera down the hole despite expectation of the same result as the previous four attempts - no signs of life.
The trapped men are Louis Alonso Hernandez, 23; Manuel Sanchez, 41; Kerry Allred, 57; Carlos Payan, in his twenties; Brandon Phillips, 24; and Don Erickson, 50.
The United Mine Workers called on Tuesday for an independent investigation into the mine, the collapse and the rescue efforts.
