Worker safety is a well known social justice issue. As the idea of social justice has grown, so to have regulations to protect workers’ rights. This is demonstrated by the creation of child labor laws and the implementation of the eight hour work day. However, the rights of miners throughout the world have not been fully addressed. Thousands of miners die each year working in unsafe conditions. Yet the majority of the world is unaware of the tragedies occurring weekly in mines throughout the world. America has a very good safety record, but the publicity mine safety received after the tragedies at the Sago Mine, in West Virginia, and at a mine in Huntington, Utah led to further improvements to American mine safety regulations. If the international community is made aware of the tragedies that occur in mines throughout the world, it is possible foreign lawmakers could also be compelled to improve their mine safety regulations.
Literature Review
Multiple publications were used to gain knowledge and research for this report. These publications can be broken down into two categories, scholarly and trade journals, and periodicals. The University of Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy is a non-partisan, scholarly journal, devoted to the study, commentary and analysis of domestic legal and social issues (University of Florida). This journal is used to discuss the Sago Mine disaster and the effects it has had on American mining. Trade journals which are used include Engineering and Mining Journal and Rock Products. Engineering and Mining Journal is a trade magazine published monthly to serve the mining industry. It is used in this report to discuss worldwide mining problems. Rock Products is also a trade magazine published monthly. Its focus, however, is on American mining. It is used to discuss the recent problems American mining has encountered and what is being done to correct current mine safety issues.
The periodicals used in this report are reputable magazines and newspapers. They come mostly from American sources, but also include sources from China. Periodicals used in this report include Time Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and China Daily. China Daily is the only English-language newspaper in China and has an average daily circulation of more than 200,000, to more than 150 countries and regions. These periodicals are used to discuss both American and international mine safety issues.
Government reports and statistics are also used in this report.
U.S. Mine Safety
Mines in the United States are some of the safest in the world. According to the Mine Safety and Health Administration, from 1991-1999, only 93 people were killed in mining related deaths in the United States (MSHA). In 2007, as of June 30, 2007, there have been only seven deaths in American coal mines. The United States has averaged 31.75 coal mine deaths from 2003 to 2006.
Despite this relative safety of American mines, there has been a recent push to further improve the safety of American mines. The recent emphasis on mine safety is due in large part to recent tragedies in West Virginia and Utah. On January 2, 2006, at the Sago Mine in West Virginia, an underground explosion occurred, resulting in the deaths of twelve miners and the serious injury of one other miner. On August 6, 2007, in Huntington, Utah, a mine collapsed, trapping six miners 1,800 feet below ground. Attempts to rescue the miners ended 25 days after the collapse (Search for Trapped Utah Miners). Efforts to get to the miners were stopped because rescuers could find no signs of life from the mine, and seismic activity in the area was tremendously hindering rescue attempts. Seismic activity caused a second collapse, in which two rescuers and a federal mining official were killed. These two events received a great deal of publicity. The mine disasters were continuously discussed by the major American news outlets, such as CNN and MSNBC. Also, the increased publicity prompted state and national legislatures to improve safety measures.
Mine Safety in Other Countries
The problems of American mines, however, are minor compared to mine safety in the rest of the world. The status of mine safety in China and South Africa give the greatest cause for concern. China has the worst safety record in the world. According to China Daily, the State Administration of Work Safety reported that in 2003, China produced 35 percent of the world’s coal, but reported 80 percent of the total deaths in coal mine accidents (Xiaohui & Xueli). To put this into perspective, China has a coal output 2.2 percent larger than the United States, but the death rate for every 100 tons of coal is 100 times that of the United States (Xiaohui & Xueli).
South Africa’s main issues come from gold and platinum mines. South Africa is the world’s largest platinum producer and one of the largest gold producers. In 2006, South Africa recorded 113 deaths in gold mining operations and 40 deaths in platinum mining operations. However, the rates which these materials are produced are far less than the rate coal is produced. South Africa produced approximately 303 tons of gold in 2006 (South Africa Delivers Lowest Gold). No specific details for the South African production of platinum could be found; however, only 160 tons of platinum are produced annually worldwide. Although the number of deaths in South African mines may seem small, it is only a matter of time before there is a terrible disaster in a South African mine. As reported in the Washington Post, on October 4, 2007, a gold mine collapsed, trapping 3,200 people (Timberg). Everyone was rescued, but this collapse put a tremendous number of people at risk.
Increasing Social Justice in Mine Safety through Communications and Awareness
In this report, I examine how increased communication, and therefore increased awareness, has improved mine safety in the United States and could do so in other countries as well. I analyze recent mining events throughout the world and provide instances which could lead to international changes through increased awareness.
In the United States, increased awareness has led to great improvements in mine safety, which will likely continue to make American mines safer working environments. Worldwide, however, I believe that increased awareness of mine working conditions could lead to the reworking of existing legislation, in order to allow miners such as those in China and South Africa to work in safer conditions.
Communication’s Effect on U.S. Mine Safety
The Sago Mine disaster brought tremendous media attention to mine safety. Anderson Cooper and Geraldo Rivera, both marquee reporters, covered the disaster for CNN and Fox News. These reporters cover major events for their news organization. Anderson Cooper reported on the Hurricane Katrina disaster, while Geraldo Rivera has covered the military operations in Iraq. The safety problems illustrated at the Sago Mine increased the public’s distrust of big business in the mining industry (Moussa). It is this attention that has spurred mine safety legislation. Senator Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) stated in a press release that MSHA’s political leadership has allowed mine safety to become less important than the relationship between operators and regulators (Sharpe). Being a senator from West Virginia, where the Sago Mine is located, it is not a stretch to believe that the Sago Mine disaster is responsible for his views toward the mining industry. Also, State Legislatures reports that soon after the Sago Mine disaster, several states took action to modernize their mining safety laws. State Legislatures is an advocate for the interests of state governments before Congress and federal agencies. States which reevaluated their mine safety regulations soon after the Sago Mine disaster include Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Utah, and Virginia.
In addition to state laws, recent improvements have been made to federal mine safety regulations in the United States as well. On June 15, 2006 the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (MINER Act) was signed by President George W. Bush. According to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) the MINER Act was the most significant mine safety legislation in 30 years. It amends the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and contains a number of provisions to improve safety and health in America’s mines (MSHA). When speaking about the signing of the MINER Act, President Bush states that in signing the act “[America] honor[s] the memory of all lost miners…” (Bush). President Bush has said the recent disaster at the Sago Mine played a role in the creation of the law.
Communication’s Potential Effect on International Mine Safety
Recent international events could have a similar positive effect on international mine safety that the Sago Mine disaster had on American mine safety. China’s mine safety record is terrible, and an increase in international awareness could encourage China to improve their safety regulations. Although disasters have occurred in mines in China, media attention like that at the Sago Mine is needed. China has shown that they will not make important changes to their regulations. International pressure is required to spur China to make changes to their safety regulations. This pressure will only come if the world is made aware of China’s problems. China produces 35 percent of the world’s coal production, but has reported 80 percent of deaths in coal mine related accidents. Officially, about 5,000 miners died in China in 2006. However, according to a recent report in Time magazine, unofficially, the number of miners killed in Chinese mines is much greater (Elegant). True reporting of the number of deaths in Chinese mines could show the international community that China’s mine safety problems are even greater than previously thought. China controls much of the media in their country, causing the state run media to be unreliable. Therefore, improved reporting of China’s mines must be done through international media organizations, such as the Associated Press or Reuters. If the world learns the true number of Chinese miners killed each year, the international outcry may be enough to prompt China to improve their regulations.
Africa has many problems related to mine safety as well. In South Africa, 3,200 miners were trapped for three days in a collapsed mine, but it received little attention throughout the world. Over time, the international community has become desensitized with the tragedies that occur in Africa. Both the AIDS virus and genocide are great humanitarian problems that overshadow mining deaths in Africa. However, in many African countries mines employ a significant amount of the population. Any place that employs thousands of workers at a time needs to ensure safety for their workers. If the collapse in the South African mine had been worse, 3,200 people could have lost their lives. Authorities cannot require a disaster of such great proportions before international mine safety is seen as the real problem it is.
China and South Africa are not the only countries that have opportunities to use disasters to spur regulations. Russia has also had mine safety problems. As reported by the BBC, statistically, Russia and other former Soviet Republics have a mine safety record second only to China in terms of annual fatalities. In Russia there is a fatalistic and negligent attitude to mine safety stretching back to the Stalin era 1930’s. The Stalinist drive for industrialization and energy saw human life become expendable. Presently, a lack of funds and antiquated mining equipment has kept these attitudes prevalent (Russia’s Mine Safety Woes). As reported in the Engineering and Mining Journal, in March of 2007, Russia halted work at twelve mines after safety checks following a mine blast that killed 108 people (Russia Halts Work). Russian authorities believe that the failure to follow safety rules was the likely cause for the disaster. It was Russia’s worst mining tragedy since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 (Russia Halts Work). Accidents in Russia’s mines are frequent, and international awareness of the frequency in which these accidents occur could help to bring safety reforms to Russia. Russia has regulations in place, and, although they are not ideal, they need to be followed. Many lives could be saved if enforcement of regulations was greater. Therefore, greater international awareness could pressure Russia to increase oversight and accountability.
Improving Social Justice through Mine Safety Communication and Awareness
Mine safety in the United States is improving. The MINER Act has updated outdated legislation. The Sago Mine disaster has caused many state legislatures to reevaluate and update their mine safety legislation. However, tragedies should not be required to bring about changes in mine safety legislation. Improvements in technology are continuously being made, and because of this the federal and state governments should continuously be looking to improve mine safety legislation.
Internationally, mine safety is also improving. The problems that remain in some countries, however, mean that greater steps need to be taken.
Improving Mine Safety in China
According to the Engineering and Mining Journal, China is encouraging the consolidation of the mining operations of 15 minerals to improve efficiency and safety (China Encouraging Mines Consolidation). While this will probably improve safety through improved efficiency, it does not directly require safety improvements. China must pass new legislation to improve its mine safety record. China’s mine safety record is so poor that in order to be improved, major steps must be taken. China has a poor human rights record, and it is likely that international pressure is needed to encourage China to improve mine safety.
Improving Mine Safety in Africa
Africa has many social justice problems, some, such as AIDS and genocide may be of greater importance than mine safety. This should not mean, however, that working conditions in Africa’s mines should be ignored. The increased awareness of AIDS and genocide has led to steps being taken to improve these tragedies. In 2003, President Bush signed a $15 billion aid package to fight AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean. Likewise, the United Nations and the African Union have sent troops into Sudan in an attempt to stop the genocide in Darfur. It is not realistic to expect African mines to become as safe as those in the United States overnight. However, it would not require nearly the amount of resources to greatly improve mine safety as it has taken to improve the AIDS crisis and to stop the genocide. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that greater international awareness of this social justice issue could bring about needed improvements to African mine safety.
Improving Mine Safety in Russia
Russia’s mine safety problems stem from the social justice issue related to the Soviet Union. Death and tragedy have, and continue to be, part of the Russian attitude towards mining. During the era of the Soviet Union human life was not valued by the state. This caused workers’ deaths to be looked upon as a cost of resources, not as the tragedies they actually were. To improve the safety of Russia’s mines, the international community must be made aware of Russia’s mining issues. Greater international awareness could lead Russia to update their antiquated mining equipment, and to improve the enforcement of their mining regulations, and ultimately, change Russia’s fatalistic attitude towards mining.
Improving International Mine Safety
I have determined from the research and knowledge acquired that the most effective method to improve mine safety, and social justice, is to increase the international community’s awareness of the problems. As other social justice tragedies have demonstrated, leaders are unlikely to make changes or offer support unless it is a popular decision. For this to happen, international media outlets must work to publicize the injustices occurring in mines throughout the world. An increase in media attention would inform the public of the working conditions of miners throughout the world. Without public support for improved regulations, it will be difficult to spur changes in the world’s mines.
References
Abrams, Adele. (2006, March). Sago Triggers Draconian Legislation. Rock Products, 12-14.
Bush, George. (2006, June 15). President Bush Signs S.2803, the MINER Act of 2006 [Speech]. Retrieved October 30, 2007, from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/06/20060615-2.html
China Encouraging Mines Consolidation. (2007, April). Engineering and Mining Journal, p. 18.
Eke, Steven. (2007, March 20). Russia’s Mine Safety Woes. Retrieved November 12, 2007 from the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6470949.stm
Elegant, Simon. (2007, March 02). Where the Coal is Stained with Blood. Time Magazine. Retrieved October 30, 2007, from: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1595235,00.html
Kruger, Tessa. (2007, March 7). South Africa Delivers Lowest Gold Production since 1922. Retrieved November 12, 2007, from the Mineweb website: http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page34?oid=15748&sn=Detail
Mine Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved October 30, 2007, from http://www.msha.gov
Mining Safety Laws Reevaluated. (2006, April). State Legislatures, p. 9.
Moussa, Shari. (2006). Mining for Morality at the Sago Mine: Big Business and Big Money Equal Modest Enforcement of Health and Safety Standards. University of Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy, 18, 209-245.
Russia Halts Work at Coal Mines After Deadly Explosion. (2007, April). Engineering and Mining Journal, p. 34.
Search Ends for Trapped Utah Miners Ends After 25 Days. (2007 September). Retrieved October 30, 2007, from: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0130505920070901
Sharpe, James. (2007, March). Senate Dems Quick to Act on Mine Safety. Rock Products, p. 14.
Timberg, Craig. (2007, October 5). 3,200 Trapped Workers Freed at South African Mine. Washington Post, p. A14.
Xiaohui, Z., Xueli, J. Coal mining: Most deadly job in China. Retrieved October 30, 2007, from the China Daily website: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-11/13/content_391242.htm