Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

October 11, 2008 5:22:01 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Report: Utah Mine Collapse Was Avoidable

Posted May 8, 08 1:02 PM CDT in US 

(Newser) – Mining officials concealed information that could have prevented the deaths of nine miners in Utah last year, says a congressional report out today. The August disaster followed the collapse of a nearby section of the mine, which indicated that the terrain was unsafe—but officials at the Crandall Mine didn’t report the earlier incident to federal safety authorities, the New York Times reports.

“Even after the near-disaster in March, the company forged ahead,” said the head of the committee studying the case. Further, a federal organization had clearly noted that the area was dangerous, the report found. The committee has asked the Justice Department to assess whether the mine's manager and others intentionally hid the earlier collapse.

Source New York Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Deadly Mine Collapse Draws Record Fine

    Jul 25, 08 6:21 AM CDT
    Deadly Mine Collapse Draws Record Fine The federal government has socked a Utah mine operator and its consultant with the highest fine ever—$1.85 million—for safety violations in a mine collapse that killed six men last year. Investigators said weak pillar support and work in dangerous areas of the Crandell Canyon mine led to the disaster. The mine operator was charged $1.34 million “for violations that directly contributed to the deaths,” as well as $300,000 in other penalties.
    More »

  • Probe Blames Feds for Utah Mine Horror

    Apr 1, 08 3:15 AM CDT
    Probe Blames Feds for Utah Mine Horror A federal probe into a Utah mine disaster that killed nine people has accused the federal agency overseeing mine safety of negligence. The finding by the Labor Department's Office of Inspector General does not rule out the possibility that the owner of the site used undue influence on the Mine Safety and Health Agency to secure approval of operations, reports the Salt Lake City Tribune. More »

  • Mine Operation Continues With 7th Hole and Camera

    Aug 27, 07 5:17 AM CDT
    Mine Operation Continues With 7th Hole and Camera Reversing an earlier decision, recovery efforts will continue at the Utah mine where six miners were trapped three weeks ago. A seventh hole will be drilled into the mine, and a camera will be dropped into a previously bored hole to search for signs of life. Family members requested that the new hole be drilled to the kitchen area, where the men were supposed to congregate in an emergency. More »

  • Families, Critics Question Safety of Utah Mine

    Aug 21, 07 9:03 PM CDT
    Families, Critics Question Safety of Utah Mine A friend of a missing miner insulted the mining company CEO at a funeral yesterday as critics around the country pointed fingers. They say a safety organization has gone too easy on Bob Murray, letting him engage in dangerous “retreat mining” even though his mines are prone to “bumps,” or sudden earth shake-ups. Defenders say Murray has improved safety. More »

  • Families Lash Owners for Abandoning Trapped Miners

    Aug 19, 07 11:10 PM CDT
    Families Lash Owners for Abandoning Trapped Miners Angry relatives of six men missing for two weeks in a Utah mine collapse have accused owners and federal officials of quitting on the rescue effort and leaving the miners for dead. Officials conceded yesterday that the miners may never be found in the mountain, still quivering from seismic activity, AP reports.   More »

Karen Jobe Templeton sculpts the face of Dale Black for part of a bronze memorial of the miners and rescuers who were killed in the Crandall Canyon Mine collapse.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
A photo of Dale Black, who died attempting to rescue six trapped coal miners, is shown at his funeral service in Huntington, Utah.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, Pool)
A T-shirt showing the names of six trapped coal miners inside the Crandall Canyon Mine is seen during a fundraiser, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007, in Price, Utah. Officials extinguished nearly all hope of finding...   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

coal mine  • mine collapse  • mine safety  • Crandall Canyon Mine


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other US Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »