Four other companies linked to the mine's operation were part of the settlement, plus six insurance companies and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The other companies were two other Murray Energy affiliates that operated and held the lease on the Crandall Canyon mine, mining consultants Agapito Associates Inc. of Grand Junction, Colo., and mine co-owner Intermountain Power Agency.

Anderson said it would take about four months to complete all the legal paperwork, at which time the civil part of the dispute will be officially resolved.

In February, the Associated Press reported that U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman said that even if he finds evidence of negligence at Crandall Canyon, it might not be enough to warrant criminal charges. He said at the time that he was still looking deeper for evidence that could be brought before a grand jury. The possible evidence includes allegations by federal regulators — vigorously denied by the company — that mine managers misrepresented early warning signs of danger at the central Utah mine.

"We truly believed the mine was safe — a belief that was shared by MSHA (the Mine Safety and Health Administration) itself, by expert mining consultants and by our own experienced miners. Still, this tragedy could not be averted," Anderson said in a statement in February. "We are confident that upon completion of their review, they will conclude there was no criminal intent in this terrible event."

Havas told the Deseret News on Tuesday that arriving at a settlement agreement will go a long way toward moving the families ahead in "the healing process."

"When we are able to bring a lawsuit to a close, there is some measure of closure — putting that chapter of things behind us as a plaintiff or as a community allows that little piece to be put to rest," he said.

"We should never forget what happened and the loss that these families suffered and that the community suffered."

Contributing: Associated Press

E-mail: jlee@desnews.com