Yet Another 2004 Mine Death

MSHA reports that a coal miner died yesterday as a result of an underground machinery accident that occurred December 21 at the Tennco, Inc., Valley Creek Mine No. 2,located in Claiborne County, Tenn. The mine has about 23 employees. The company has two active mines registered with MSHA and is listed as controlled by Jackie (Mitch) Fannin and Jack Stump. No additional details were immediately available from MSHA.

This makes 28 coal mining fatalities for the year, one more than the industry's record low of 27 established in 2002. Last year there were 30 coal mine fatalities.

Total mine fatalities for the year, including coal and metal/nonmetal mines, now stand at 54, still down from last year's record low of 56.