Another SD Question. When was the last time the USA’s mining industry has experienced so many accidents? Is this the worst in modern times?
You sure it’s just the U.S.?
For some reason (not just more reporting IMHO), I’ve noticed many more stories about mining accidents from all over these past few months. There was that fire trapping 72 men underground in in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan (which turned out astoundingly well considering the outcomes of the previous two accidents in the 'States), those two Australians trapped for two weeks this month, and just last week four people died at a decommisioned mine in Kimberly B.C..
My completely unsupported, WAG is that the frequency of mine accidents has not changed, they’re just being reported more prominently because of the publicity surrounding the one in Sago.
Fatalities and Injuries for All Mining (Coal & Noncoal)
Year Ave Annual Deaths Ave Annual Injuries
1936-1940 1,546 81,342
1941-1945 1,592 82,825
1946-1950 1,054 63,367
1951-1955 690 38,510
1956-1960 550 28,805
1961-1965 449 23,204
1966-1970 426 22,435
1971-1975 322 33,963
1976-1980 254 41,220
1981-1985 174 24,290
1986-1990 122 27,524
1991-1999 93 21,351
Just thank god you are not a Chinese miner, they are currently losing just under 100 a week.