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Lessons must be learned from miracle at mine

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-04-08 16:12
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The saving of more than 100 trapped miners in Shanxi is quite a miracle for China's rescue work. However, amid the euphoria, we cannot lose sight of the stark reality of the nation's mining industry, said a commentary in South China Morning Post, "despite authorities' promises and efforts, the sector remains more dangerous than it need be."

Coal mining is the most hazardous job in the world, according to the article. "This is especially so on the mainland, where illegal operations, a lack of safety equipment, corruption and lax enforcement of rules make such work particularly perilous."

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On April 5, a fatal explosion in a US mine took the lives of at least 25 miners, making it the US' worst coal mining disaster since 1984. Although the mine has a poor safety record, its standards are still much higher than its Chinese counterpart, the article revealed. "The mine has airtight chambers supplied with food, water and enough oxygen for four days. Giant fans in the shafts keep air moving. Miners are required to carry bottles of oxygen."

But these kinds of safety guarantee equipment are dreams for most Chinese miners, the article said. At Wangjialing mine, trapped workers could only "eat wood shaved from tunnel supports, drink the muddy water and strap themselves to walls with their belts to avoid drowning."

Different safety standards caused different fates for workers in the US. "Just 34 miners were killed last year, the lowest figure on record", according to the article, while mine accidents killed 2,631 workers last year in China. "As many workers die in mainland mines as in the US a century ago", said the article.

The article pointed out that warning signs appear to have been ignored at the Shanxi mine. "There must be a full investigation and those responsible brought to account. Training programs have to be stepped up and better safety equipment installed. The Shanxi rescue must lead to an all-out push to make mines safer."