Six Utah Miners Trapped Underground
Posted by Stephanie Taylor on August 7, 2007 at 05:21 PM
Six Utah miners are still trapped underground today as rescuers work around the clock to reach them. The miners were buried either by an earthquake or by the dangerous practice of "retreat mining," which involves pulling out the last pieces of coal (the "pillars") that support the roof within one of the mine's rooms.
A UMWA spokesman said the union's thoughts and prayers are with the trapped miners and their families.
The Genwal mine, about 140 miles south of Salt Lake City, is a nonunion mine. CNN reported today that the mine has a history of dangerous work conditions:
The mine was cited at least 300 times total in the past three years--with 118 of those citations for violations serious enough to cause death, records show.
Today mine owner Bob Murray shouted at news helicopters, "There's no emergency here!" during a press conference. Huffington Post has the clip.
The Lexington Herald-Leader has a story on the connections between Bob Murray, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and mine safety--or the lack thereof. Read the story here.
Comments - 6 »
Comments - 6 «
Thank god for deregulation. We've got to keep government off the backs of business--otherwise they enforce cumbersome safety regulations...
Posted by MarkW-Spokane on August 7, 2007 at 06:53 PM
Ever notice how the Republicans are always talking about "labor's excessive burdens on business".
It's time business' excessive burdens on labor got discussed.
The rich and greedy have had a free ride at the expense of the working people for far too long.
Posted by Butte on August 7, 2007 at 11:59 PM
I have an idea to try and locate the trapped miners. What about the technology the government used to locate people in bunkers in the iraq war ? cant they use that same technology to locate the trapped miners by either infared or heat signature? I know our government has to have something that would work they just probably dont want to spend the money on 6 lives because it seems that money is worth more than human life to the vast majority these days unless its your own kin!!
Posted by cnmcannon on August 10, 2007 at 10:21 PM
They were not doing retreat mining. They were on a maintenance crew working the graveyard shift. They should not have been doing much if any digging. Getting things set up for the day shift. There is enough sadness in this world without adding to the families grief by restating wrong conditions. I am sure there will be blame for the owner but don't hang them before they even start. to understand what went wrong.
Posted by BL23 on August 11, 2007 at 07:25 PM
Okay, my comment or question is do miners carry food and water on their backs to last at least a week when they go into the mines? Also, do they have mini oxygen tanks strapped on also? If they do not, why? It seems fool-hearty to me that such a dangerous job doesn't have these precautionary practices in place. I don't think they have these things because I didn't hear Murray say they would be alright until they were found because they had enough food, water and air supply. If there is no such thing as a mini-oxygen tank then I suggest a smart, concerned scientist invent one!
Posted by Yellowbird1 on August 16, 2007 at 07:32 AM
my husband who recently retired from coalmining, has work for a lot of guys like that murray made their money from working men like their not human or as good as he is . i can!t stand to see him because i remember to well why my husband has such a bad heart, from working for guys like murray in wva. they thank because they have money they can!t treat people like he does. one day his money won!t help him. jwoman
Posted by jwoman on August 16, 2007 at 11:24 PM
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