The men survived the terrible accident in the mine not because of luck but because of the courage, determination and training of the miners who were trapped, the technical advances in the mining industry and because of the skill, strength, professionalism and dedication of the individuals who worked to free them.
The truth is that the mining industry has changed dramatically in the past 20 years. A group of highly trained and educated professionals deduced where the miners probably sought higher ground. They determined this from accurate maps of the existing mining operations, developed by surveyors using sophisticated equipment and from the group to whom the trapped men had radioed a warning. A careful plan was developed to quickly sink a 6-inch-diameter hole that would be drilled from a predetermined spot on the surface and intersect the miners' chamber.
This was completed with remarkable success but little public acclamation. It was followed by a complex plan of introducing warm air under pressure and high-capacity pumping to stop the inflow of water.
The 3-foot-diameter escape shaft was successfully completed and it again intersected the miners' refuge with astounding accuracy. Imagine drilling a straight line 3 feet in diameter the length of a football field through hard rock. An error of two degrees would have missed the target.
Mechanical glitches were encountered and overcome by a highly skilled group of drilling engineers, technicians and support personnel.
The dangers of working in the mines were continually emphasized in the news media. What was not made clear was that injuries and fatalities have been reduced dramatically even in the past 10 years. Total fatalities at U.S. coal mines have decreased from 255 in 1970 to 42 last year. They have decreased over 40% from 1990.
This is due primarily to technological advances, training and improved safety awareness. Mines are regularly inspected by government officials. The mine atmospheres are continually monitored and all miners go through rigorous safety training procedures. It is misleading to compare the industry today with the mining industry 50 years ago.
It is ironic that the prime suspect in the near disaster is a plan from an old abandoned mine. It should be a reminder of how far the industry has come. Due to the number of abandoned and sealed mines, current safety procedures call for drilling horizontal holes to locate abandoned mines if they are thought to be within 200 feet of the active workings. This is an existing safety procedure to serve as a precaution against what happened in Pennsylvania. It is probable that new and stronger procedures will be introduced to reduce the likelihood of this happening again.
The industry will, and should, continue to improve its safety standards until the fatalities are reduced to zero.
Today's coal miner may still chew tobacco, sound the same as his (or her) grandfather and have a strong sense of brother/sisterhood, but he/she is highly skilled and well trained in the use of sophisticated equipment and safety procedures.
We are all thankful that nine brave men survived. This should also be an opportunity to recognize the advances in the mining industry and not dwell on the dangers and disasters of the past.
* Donovan F. Symonds, Norwest Corp Ph.D., is president of Norwest Corp in Salt Lake City. His article was published in the Salt Lake Tribune, August 4.
