Vol. 72/No. 27      July 7, 2008

The Harmony Mine had been using a method known as retreat mining. As coal is extracted from the ground, some pillars are left behind to support the roof. Once the coal is mined out, the pillars themselves are then extracted as the operation withdraws from the mine, allowing the roof to collapse behind them. It is considered to be one of the most dangerous forms of mining.

Retreat mining is the same method that had been used at the Crandall Canyon coal mine outside Huntington, Utah, when it collapsed in August 2007, killing six miners. Three others died in the rescue effort.

Carey had nine years of experience at this mine, and at the time of his death was a roof bolter and assistant foreman.

Tom Rathbun, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said that the mine does not “have a history of safety problems.” However, the mine has been cited with 31 safety violations so far this year by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, including a violation issued in April for not having a roof control plan up to regulation standards.
 
 
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No worker has to die on the job!  
 
 
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