US mines complete safest year ever

2009 was the safest year ever for American miners, according to official figures released this week by the US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Both coal mines and metal/non-metal mines recorded the fewest fatalities in the history of American mining in 2009. Total mine fatalities fell below the previous record set in 2008, and nearly 85% of all US mines completed the year with no lost-time injuries. (more…)