Miracles are a rarity in the mainland's accident-prone mines, so the saving of more than 100 workers from a flooded coal pit in Shanxi deserves the highest praise. Rescue teams are to be commended for their determination, and the miners' bravery and will to beat the odds can only be admired. After eight days of anxious waiting and hoping, the dramatic rescue provides a moment of jubilation. Amid the euphoria, though, we must not lose sight of the stark reality of the nation's mining industry: despite authorities' promises and efforts, the sector remains more dangerous than it need be.
There are few more hazardous jobs anywhere than coal mining. In underground pits, the danger of explosions from methane gas, flooding and cave-ins is ever-present. This is especially so on the mainland, where illegal operations, a lack of safety equipment, corruption and lax enforcement of rules makes such work particularly perilous. Technological advances have improved standards, but the tragedy at a US mine that coincided with the Shanxi rescues proves mishaps can never be discounted.
The incidents made headlines for vastly different reasons. At least 25 men died in an explosion in West Virginia, making it the US' worst coal mining disaster since 1984. Just 34 miners were killed there last year, the lowest figure on record. Such numbers are unimaginable on the mainland, which, by total and per tonne of coal extracted, has the world's deadliest mines - 2,631 lives were lost last year. Mass rescues are unusual - which is why that in Shanxi was held in the glare of national television after the first nine miners were pulled out alive. Those rescued have yet to be given media access, but what has so far been gleaned of their stories is the stuff of the highest drama. They ate wood shaved from tunnel supports, and drank the muddy water that forced them to strap themselves to walls with their belts to avoid drowning. Some piled into a floating coal truck; others rotated headlamps to ensure rescuers saw them. The teams who kept them alive and took them to safety were quick to drill air shafts, monitor below-ground activities, pump out water and mount missions in the narrow shafts.
There is only a slim chance of such survival tales from West Virginia; the blast has dimmed hopes for those still unaccounted for. The mine also has a poor safety record, with numerous serious infringements of ventilation requirements. Despite this, its standards are much higher than its Chinese counterpart. The mine has airtight chambers supplied with food, water and enough oxygen for four days. Giant fans in the shafts keep air moving. Miners are required to carry bottles of oxygen. These are mostly dreams for mainland miners, who toil with limited safety guarantees. Standards are improving, as evidenced by last year's official death toll, which was 37.6 per cent of that of the worst year on record, 2002. But observers contend the real number could be several times higher due to cover-ups and lack of regulation. Efforts to bring all mines under state control are lagging.
As many workers die in mainland mines as in the US a century ago. Authorities are well aware of the solutions and have implemented regulations, but there are still far too many accidents. Warning signs appear to have been ignored at the Shanxi mine. There must be a full investigation and those responsible brought to account. Training programmes have to be stepped up and better safety equipment installed. The Shanxi rescue must lead to an all-out push to make mines safer.
