U.S. Mine Fatalities To Date

Coal mining: Nine fatalities as of today compared with 12 at this time last year and lower than most recent years, including years that set records. The industry had a similar record on this day in 2001, but a major explosion claimed 13 lives and brought the year-end death toll to 42.

Metal and nonmetal mining: Thirteen deaths as of today, compared with 11 at this time last year; matches the count as of this date in 2003, which turned out to be the industry's historic record low year.

Several fatal mine accidents this year have involved young miners in their 20's, possibly due to the evolving workforce. For many years, the typical miner and average mine accident victim would be in his 40's or 50's.

Historically, growth and turnover in the mining industry presented special safety challenges often led to increased accidents. Today, with mandatory safety and health training in place for all miners, safety problems do not necessarily have to follow.