Global Mine Accidents

Abstract

A mining accident may simply be defined as an accident that occurs in the process of mining minerals from underneath the surface of the planet. Each year, thousands of miners die from mining accidents, particularly in the area of coal mining and hard rock mining.

There are various causes for the occurrence of mining accidents, including leaks of poisonous or explosive natural gases, collapsing of mine stopes, dust explosions, flooding, or general mechanical errors from incorrectly used or malfunctioning mining equipment [1, 2].

Each year, a large number of fatalities occur in mines globally. Most of these fatalities occur in developing countries and rural parts of developed countries. Nonetheless, even in the United States an average of 93 people died in mining accidents during the period 1991–1999, in addition to an average of 21, 351 injuries per year [3]. Currently, China accounts for a large proportion of mining accident related fatalities, particularly in the area of coal mining. For example, it produces around 35% of the world’s coal and accounts for about 80% of coal-mining fatalities.

Also, the worst coal mining disaster in the world occurred in China on April 26, 1942 at the Benxihu Colliery, located at Benxi, Liaoning. In this mining accident, a coal-dust explosion killed 1572 people [4]. This chapter presents various important aspects of global mine accidents.