Mining Deaths at Record Low

For the second consecutive year, fatal injuries at mines in the United States declined to an historic new low, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). The data indicate that 67 miners died in on-the-job accidents nationwide in 2002, the lowest figure on record and five fewer mine deaths than in 2001, the previous record-setting year. "While the mining industry has made tremendous progress over the past two years, we must continue to be vigilant in our efforts to reduce not only fatal incidents, but also accid...