Latest News

October 26-27, 2010

6th Annual Joint Western Regional Mine Safety and Health Conference

Monday, October 25, 2010 8:00 AM - Wednesday, October 27, 2010 6:00 PM PT, Peppermill Resort Casino 2707 S. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89502
For more information, click here.

September 15, 2010

NIOSH workshop on proximity detection

In Charleston, WV
For more information, click here.

June 2, 2010

Arch Coal’s Black Thunder and Coal Creek Mines Continue Safety Excellence; Earn Multiple Wyoming State Safety Awards

WRIGHT, Wyo., June 2, 2010 – Thunder Basin Coal Company’s Black Thunder mine has surpassed two years and nearly 6.0 million employee-hours without a single lost-time safety injury. Additionally, Black Thunder recently was honored with the prestigious 2010 Governor’s Safety Award for Wyoming’s best safety program and the Wyoming State Mine Inspector’s Safety Award for large mines. Coal Creek mine has worked more than four and a half years, or 1.3 million hours, without a single lost-time injury. Coal Creek mine also earned the Wyoming State Mine Inspector’s second place Safety Award among small mines.

April 14, 2010

New Mexico Mine Health and Safety Conference

New Mexico Tech once again will host the New Mexico Mine Health and Safety Conference on May 3-5 at Macey Center.

This year's conference continues to expand and improve on the quality of the presentation and speakers. The content includes sessions on health topics and emergency management exercises so attendees can remain current on evolving issues. The conference is also extremely honored to have Mr. Joseph Main, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Health and Safety as the keynote speaker this year.

The goal of the conference is to draw a cross-section of the more than 7,000 people employed in the mining industry in New Mexico, as well as mining organizations from across the country to work on mine health and safety issues.

The conference theme "Go the Distance" recognizes that the quest for zero incidents at our mining organizations is not easy to accomplish in a short time frame. As partners in safety, we must continually step up and do the right thing for the long haul.

Most of the events take place at Macey Center, including four meals which are included in the $90 price of the conference. Those interested may get information and registration forms from http://www.bmi.state.nm.us.

This year's conference is organized by the NM Bureau of Mine Safety, MSHA and the New Mexico mining industry.

April 2, 2010

Penn State Miner Training Program to Host a Technology Transfer Seminar on Refuge Alternatives

As part of its 2009/2010 Brookwood-Sago Project, the Penn State Miner Training Program is hosting a technology transfer seminar on refuge alternatives (RA) on May 27, 2010 at the Four-Points by Sheraton, Greensburg, PA. The program will focus on the engineering (hardware) aspects of RA.

Refuge alternative manufacturers have been invited, along with representatives from MSHA, NIOSH, and small and large mining companies.

Please visit our website at: http://www.minerstownhall.org for additional information. Also see the seminar brochure.

Please contact Mark Radomsky for more information (mcr4@psu.edu).

March 23, 2010

40th Anniversary of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969

12:30 - 1:30 p.m. at the DOL Building, 200 Consitution Ave. NW. Washington D.C.. With U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Asistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health Joseph A. Main

Come help us celebrate 40 years of healthier and safer mining in America's mines.

March 14, 2010

Hal Quinn: Why U.S. mines are safer now

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- As the headlines about Toyota's troubles remind us, the reputation for safety that has historically been a valuable attribute for business is now a vital one.

Mining companies understand this better than most because people typically associate mining with danger, a perception from our rough and tumble past. Virtually unnoticed, however, is that mining in America just ended its safest year in history, following more than a decade of dramatic safety improvements.

NIOSH Workshop: Best Practices for Controlling Respirable Dust in Coal Mining

NIOSH and MSHA will co-host three free, one-day workshops focusing on controlling respirable dust in coal mines. "Best Practices for Controlling Respirable Dust in Coal Mines will take place on March 24, 2010 in Birmingham, AL, on April 21, 2010 in Evansville, IN and on June 2, 2010 in Grand Junction, CO.

NIOSH Workshop: Advanced Diesel Engine and Exhaust Technologies for Underground Coal and Metal/Nonmetal Mining

Advanced Diesel Engine & Exhaust Technologies from Mining, a one-day free workshop, will take place on April 14, 2010 in Pittsburgh, PA.

This workshop is intended for underground coal and metal/nonmetal mining professionals who are responsible for the specification and acquisition of diesel engines and diesel-powered equipment and for developing strategies for the control of workers exposure to diesel particulate matter and gases.

March 3, 2010
NMA Launches SafetyShare.Org, New Safety Initiative for U.S. Mining Operations

Washington, D.C. – National Mining Association (NMA) President and CEO Hal Quinn announced today the launch of a new NMA initiative to foster continued improvement in U.S. mine safety and health performance.

"U.S. mining just completed its two safest years in history, with 2009 surpassing our 2008 performance. While these results are gratifying, mining continues to look to new initiatives and opportunities to foster continued improvement and excellence in health and safety performance at U.S. mining operations.

February 2, 2010
Mining Works with MSHA on Safety Focus

The following statement was released today by National Mining Association (NMA) President and CEO Hal Quinn in conjunction with the launch of the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) program to improve the prevention of fatalities in mining:

"As part of mining’s ongoing commitment to achieve zero injuries and fatalities in the nation’s mines, the National Mining Association is working with the Mine Safety and Health Administration on the launch of the agency’s program to further improve the prevention of fatalities in mining. The program, ’Rules to Live By,’ focuses mine safety inspection activity and mine safety performance on areas of greatest potential hazards; a direction NMA has advocated for some time.

January 5, 2010
U.S. Mines Complete Safest Year Ever

American Coal and Mineral Mines Close 2009 with Fewest Annual Fatalities

Washington, D.C. – 2009 was the safest year ever for American miners. Both coal mines and metal/non-metal mines last year recorded the fewest fatalities in the history of American mining. Total mine fatalities fell below the previous record set in 2008, and nearly 85 percent of all U.S. mines completed the year with no lost-time injuries.

January 4, 2010
Mining fatalities fall to all-time low in 2009

34 mining deaths in US is record-setting number

ARLINGTON, Va. -Preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) released today indicate that mine fatalities in 2009 fell to an all-time low for the second straight year. Coal mines recorded 18 mining deaths, and metal/nonmetal mines recorded 16 mining deaths, for a combined total of 34 mining deaths nationwide and a significant drop from last year's total of 53 deaths.