MountMulligan.jpg|frame|right|Mount Mulligan mine disaster in Australia 1921. These cable drums were blown 50 feet (15m) from their foundations following a coal dust explosion. ]] A mining accident is a dangerous and often deadly accident that occurs in the process of mining minerals from underneath the surface of the earth. Thousand of miners die from mining accidents each year, especially in the process of coal mining and hard rock mining. Many of the deaths occur in developing countries and rural parts of developed countries.

Causes

Mining accidents can have a variety of causes, including leaks of poisonous or explosive natural gases called firedamp, dust explosions, collapsing of mine stopes, flooding, or general mechanical errors from improperly used or malfunctioning mining equipment.

American accidents

In the United States, an average of 93 people per year died in mining accidents in the most recently reported period (1991-1999). In addition to deaths, many thousands more are injured an average of 21,351 injuries per year between 1991 and 1999). The deadliest mining disaster in American history took place on December 6, 1907 in Monongah, West Virginia. Three hundred sixty-two men and young boys were killed when an underground explosion took place. In the US, a mining accident that claims five or more lives is usually termed a 'disaster'. ^*

See also

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• List of mining disasters

External links

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• Price Waterhouse Cooper press release
• U.S. Mining Safety Health Administration

Mining disasters | Hazards | Mining disasters in the United States | Mining