Original linkCHANG'GOU TOWN, China - Digging coal deep underground, Luo Xianglai learned to listen hard to the sounds the rocks made when struck with his pickax.
A dull thud usually meant solid rock and safety. A whistling noise signaled an impending cave-in.
"Usually you could tell it was coming," said Luo, a squat 33-year-old with broad shoulders, a buzz cut and a worried look. "The rocks would start singing, letting off a whistling sound. We would get out in a rush."
On a cold December day two years ago, the rocks did not sing, but disaster struck anyway. A cave-in buried Luo under fallen ceiling planks and more than 6 feet of rock, 300 feet down a mine shaft. His right leg was crushed, returning him to the life of an impoverished farmer — this time, with a steel rod in his leg.
Coal mining remains one of the world's most dangerous trades. In China, more than 4,700 people died last year in coal mines.---------------------------
4,700 is the official count. I wouldn't be surprised to find it twice that in reality. Yet another reason for mandatory surpise inspections. Speaking of which, here in the US:
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The U.S. has had three major fatal accidents in the last two years. Most recently, a collapse at Utah's Crandall Canyon Mine in August left six miners presumed dead. Federal inspectors had warned of hazardous conditions, though another federal agency had approved the work.
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Efforts to buttress mine safety are being made worldwide <...> but gaps remain.
U.S. inspectors acknowledge they failed to carry out mandated quarterly inspections at every underground mine this year.
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