10- Upper Big Branch Mine
Back in 2010, a West Virginia coal mine exploded, burying 38 miners 1,000 feet underground.
To put things into perspective, the Eiffel Tower is 1,060 feet tall. The accident was
a consequence of several safety violations. The ventilation systems weren’t maintained
properly, leading to an accumulation of methane in the mine. In 2015, Massey Energy CEO Don
Blankenship was accused and convicted of a misdemeanour, due to his role in enabling
these infractions. One miner was rushed to the ER by helicopter and two others by ambulance.
One of the survivors described the experience as being stuck in the middle of a tornado.
9- Pasta de Conchos
In 2006, a methane explosion claimed the lives of 65 miners in a coal mine in the state of
Coahuila, in Mexico. The workers became trapped underground and only 2 bodies were recovered.
Miners had gone on strikes against the Grupo Mexico, the company in charge of the operations,
14 times before the accident. They had reported several security and health issues throughout
the years. Though the Mexican government stopped the recovery efforts soon after the accident,
the investigation was reopened on February the 18th of 2020, after years of public outcries
and international pressure. Families of the victims blamed the company for trying to cover
up the terrible working conditions that had led to the tragedy.
What is it?
Mining consists of extracting valuable minerals and materials from the ground. These may include
metals, coal, gems, limestone, chalk, clay, and rock salt, among others. It also consists
of the extraction of petroleum and natural gas. The two main techniques, depending on
the material that’s meant to be gathered, are surface mining and underground mining.
8- Hpakant jade mine
On 2 July 2020, disaster struck the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, previously known
as Burma. A landslide led to the death of 174 people and the disappearance of 100 additional
miners. 54 others were gravely injured in the accident. These victims were independent
jade pickers tailing behind large operators. They scavenged through the excavated rubble,
hoping to earn a living. Authorities warned the miners to evacuate the area due to the
heavy rain season, but most chose to continue their activities. Heavy storms led to mining
waste falling into a nearby lake. It generated 20-foot tall waves of mud and water that buried
the miners alive. The incident was caught on video. Several witnesses watched in horror
as jade pickers cried for help, drowning in the thick mud. As of the recording of this
video, it’s unknown how many miners actually perished in the disaster.
7- Ulyanovskaya Mine
The Ulyanovskaya Mine explosion was considered the deadliest disaster in Russia for over
a decade. It occurred back in 2007, when an explosion caused by accumulated methane gas
or coal dust killed at least 108 miners. After the accident, authorities revealed that there
had been several safety rule violations and that 60 coal mines in the area would be inspected
to avoid further disasters. Investigators discovered that the mine's equipment had been
tampered with so that the readings of methane levels remained low. This allowed the company
in charge of the operation to make a higher profit but failed to provide workers with
warning signs to avoid the lethal explosion.
Where is it located?
There are mining activities all around the globe. Depending on the region’s geographical
and geological characteristics, it may involve different types of extraction. Surface mining
involves removing vegetation, dirt, and sometimes layers of rocks. There are different techniques,
such as mountaintop removal, open-pit, landfill, and strip mining. Underground mining involves
tunnels and shafts. It can reach deeper levels with horizontal access tunnels, diagonal slopes,
or vertical holes. Pillars are often used to support the structure of the tunnels.
6- Zenica mine
In September of 2014, 34 miners were trapped inside a coal mine in the European country
of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A 3.5 Richter-scale earthquake had struck the city of Zenica and
produced a rock avalanche inside the excavation. A rescue team soon arrived at the site of
the accident and provided oxygen to the trapped workers. Sadly 5 of the 34 miners were killed
in the disaster. The other 29 men were resurfaced soon after the incident, all suffering from
minor injuries.
5-Courrières mine
Considered Europe’s worst mining disaster, the explosion that occurred in northern France
back in 1906 killed 1099 workers. Though the exact cause remains unknown, the detonator
was determined to have been coal dust. The explosion was so powerful that one of the
elevator cages shot up to the surface. Fire spreading through the mine and the collapsing
walls were considered to have caused the majority of deaths. 600 miners escaped, many of them
severely injured, and 13 other survivors were discovered 20 days after the accident. The
“Compagnie des mines de Courrières” was the company in charge of the operation. In
the past, workers from other mining sites had accused the operator of terrible working
conditions.
How will it kill you?
Miners endure plenty of occupational hazards that may be deadly both in the short and long
term. Respiratory illnesses are common and miners are also being exposed to harmful substances.
Pneumoconiosis or dusty lung disease occurs almost exclusively in people involved with
mining activities, leading to disability and early death. Heat stress is also a common
problem for miners since they have to deal with constant humid and hot environments.
It produces fatigue and distress, heat strokes, and debilitating long term health problems.
Natural disasters, such as tremors and earthquakes, also cause lethal accidents. Explosions, which
might occur due to negligence, gases being released and ignited, and a myriad of other
reasons, can lead to the collapsing of tunnels or failure of ventilation systems. That’s
in addition to the force of the explosion itself which may cause the death and injury
of the miners. Hearing loss is also a common side effect of the job, as are back injuries
due to constant heavy lifting. Mining can also affect people living in the surrounding
areas, leading to the loss of biodiversity, illnesses, contamination, and soil erosion.
If the waste produced isn't correctly disposed of, it often results in irredeemable consequences
for the habitat and the people living in nearby cities and towns.
4- Sunjiawan
The Sunjiawan mine, located in northeastern China, was the site of a gas explosion that
caused the death of 214 miners. The tunnels were 794 feet deep, the equivalent of a 73
story-high building. The explosion is considered to have been set off by a powerful earthquake
that shook the mine. Gas detectors malfunctioned, and workers failed to notice one of the pits
filling with smoke. 22 other miners were injured, and 13 more were trapped underground. Chinese
mines are considered to be the deadliest worldwide, with more than 6,000 deaths in 2004 alone.
3-Eynez coal mine
A massive explosion created a seemingly unstoppable underground fire in the Eynez coal mine, in
May of 2014. A fire that burned for more than two days killed 301 miners. This incident
is considered to be the worst in Turkish history. At the time of the explosion, 787 miners were
at the site. 486 workers survived, though several politicians claimed the figure was
lower, with up to 39 deaths being hidden. The explosion started 1.2 miles underground.
The eruption caused the elevator to fail. Many workers died of carbon monoxide poisoning
as they were unable to escape the mine. Several rescue crews arrived at the site of the accident
and provided oxygen to keep the survivors trapped underground alive.
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How to survive?
There are several ways of preventing accidents and illnesses related to mining.
Dust inhalation is a common concern and may lead to black lung disease. Companies in most
countries are required to develop dust control plans and train workers to avoid breathing
in hazardous substances. Different types of respiratory protection can be used to diminish
this risk. Exposure to constant loud noises can cause
tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, insomnia, and loss of hearing. Panels are often installed
to diminish the vibrations, and personal hearing protection is mandatory. Whole-body vibration
happens to miners working with heavy machinery and usually leads to damage to the reproductive
organs, bones, and muscles, as well as digestive and vision problems. Proper maintenance of
the equipment and offering training to all workers is required to avoid these issues.
When miners are aware of the dangers and offered proper safety wear, and the tunnels are kept
adequately ventilated, many of the risks surrounding this activity can be minimized or avoided.
2- Sago Mine
Located in West Virginia, the Sago Mine was the site of an accident that kept 13 miners
trapped underground for over 2 days. There was only one survivor. It caused a public
uproar when misleading information was leaked to the press. 12 workers were said to have
been rescued, giving false hope to the victims’ families and friends. The mining company in
charge of the operations took over 90 minutes to call for a rescue team. Randal L. McCloy
Jr, the lone survivor, suffered from a myriad of health complications. He had a collapsed
lung, as well as several muscle injuries, brain hemorrhaging, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
His heart and liver functions were severely affected. It took McCloy months of physical
therapy to recover. Even so, he was left with permanent damage to his vision and hearing.
1-Chilean mining disaster
Widely covered by the local and international press, the Chilean mining accident at Copiapó
in 2010 had the world sitting on the edge of their seats for 69 days. 33 miners were
trapped 2,300 feet underground after an explosion. Rescue teams were initially unable to locate
them and thus investigators believed the accident had left no survivors. 17 days after the initial
explosion, a note was found taped to a resurfaced drill. It read: “We are well in the shelter,
the 33 of us.” A special capsule was built to retrieve the
miners. It was only 21 inches wide and provided tight trips to the surface, lasting between
9 and 18 minutes each. It’s estimated that roughly one billion viewers worldwide watched
the rescue efforts via video streaming. All 33 miners were miraculously saved. Though
they received months of physical therapy, many of them suffered from long-term health
complications after the incident.
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