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Revision as of 18:01, 19 January 2006
A mining accident is a dangerous and often deadly accident that occurs in the process of mining minerals from underneath the surface of the earth. Thousand of miners die from mining accidents each year, especially in the process of coal mining and hard rock mining.
Many of the deaths occur in developing countries and rural parts of developed countries. Even in the US, an average of 93 people per year died in mining accidents in the most recently reported period (1991-1999). In addition to deaths, many thousands more are injured, even in the US (an average of 21,351 injuries per year between 1991 and 1999).
The deadliest mining disaster in American history took place on December 6, 1907 in Monongah, West Virginia. Three hundred sixty-two men and young boys were killed when an underground explosion took place there. (See List of mining disasters)
Mining accidents can have a variety of causes, including leaks of poisonous or explosive natural gases, collapsing of mine stopes, flooding, or general mechanical errors from improperly used or malfunctioning mining equipment.
In the United States, a mining accident that claims five or more lives is usually termed a "disaster".
See also
External links
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