The head of the federal agency charged with protecting U.S. miners told the industry that technology is the key to reducing mining fatalities to zero from 2017's total of 28.
The agency is looking to deploy technologies including proximity detection for surface mines, seat belt detection devices and safety systems for conveyor belts.
David Zatezalo, a former Rhino Resource Partners LP executive who now leads the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration, also indicated the agency would be tough on operators who are not cooperating with the shared goal of miner safety.
During a speech at the Virginia Coal and Energy Alliance conference May 22, Zatezalo reiterated the agency's dedication to going after "scofflaw" operators who do not pay their fines.
"So far, I haven't gone to court, but I figure sooner or later I will," he said.
Zatezalo said 2017's 28 total fatalities across metal and nonmetal mines were "28 too many." Part of that total was from an uptick in coal mining fatalities, which he said probably was caused by "too many new entrants into the industry."
Seven miners have died this year.
Many of the causes of mining fatalities fit into broad categories, and some could easily be reduced by deploying safety technology, he said. For example, larger vehicles hitting smaller vehicles is a common cause of mine safety incidents in the U.S.
"This is not acceptable to me. It shouldn't be acceptable to you," Zatezalo said. "It's just wrong. It shouldn't happen."
He proposed requiring more proximity detection equipment, which is technology that can alert an operator or even shut down equipment when a worker gets close. The technology is widely deployed in underground mines, but Zatezalo said the agency is seeking information to require it on surface mines.
Recent data on compliance with proximity detection rules showed the industry followed the rules about 96% of the time. However, Zatezalo said those not in compliance were on restricted plans and were running out of time.
"For any of you that think this is an option, it's not," he said.
He also suggested the industry deploy technologies that would prevent vehicles from moving if the operator is not wearing a seat belt and find better ways to prevent injuries around conveyor belts.
Zatezalo also indicated the agency would not backpedal on Obama-era rules reducing the amount of respirable dust, a cause of black lung disease in miners, allowed in underground mines. Though the agency is completing a study of the respirable coal dust rule, he said there is no reason to increase the amount of allowed dust under the standard, despite some in the industry challenging the rule.
"Black lung is not even a disease we should have to put up with in this day and age," he said.
