After years of efforts, the commemorative National Miner’s Day was made official on December 3, 2009, when a resolution was passed on the US Senate floor to make the proclamation official.

The date was chosen to align with the worst mining disaster in American history, the tragedy at Monongah, West Virginia on December 6, 1907.

Officials were able to confirm the deaths of 362 men and boys at the coal operation but many feel the total toll was larger.

While the industry has gained much in the way of worker safety thanks to awareness, regulation, greater communication and technology, Monongah is a reminder that mining’s history books were at one time packed with story after story of mass deaths from fires, ventilation issues, collapses and other incidents.

The Miner’s Day proclamation designates the date “in appreciation, honour and remembrance of the accomplishments and sacrifices of the miners of our nation and encourages the people of the United States to participate in local and national activities celebrating and honouring the contributions of miners”.

The US Mine Safety and Health Administration, in a recent letter to a Utah newspaper, noted that American miners played a much larger role than most people realised.

“They extract a variety of raw materials, such as coal, copper, phosphate, silver, limestone, iron and zinc – ores that are essential components in the products we use every day,” Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health Joseph Main said.

“Coal and the electricity generated by coal power, play prominent roles in our homes, businesses and communities.

“American miners work every day to provide the necessities of life.

“They deserve protection on the job from workplace hazards that have killed tens of thousands and injured hundreds of thousands of miners throughout our history.”

He noted that in 1907, the year of the Monongah disaster, there were 3000 deaths in US mining operations across all types.

Thanks in part to the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 that created MSHA, the numbers decreased to about 140 in the 1970s.

Now, more than three decades later, the numbers are among the lowest in the nation’s history.

“While more needs to be done to prevent death, injury and illness in the nation's mines, our efforts and collaboration with labour and industry stakeholders are showing positive results,” Main said.

“We will continue to work hard to send miners home safe and healthy at the end of every shift.”