Technology has come a long way in improving mine and miners' safety. But despite advances, accidents - due to human error and numerous hazards - continue to occur, often with tragic consequences.
A Look at Mines and Technologies That Help Them Deal With Disasters
- By Aida Akl
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Robert Murray, founder and chairman of Cleveland-based Murray Energy Corp., points to rubble blocking a tunnel in the Crandall Canyon Mine, northwest of Huntington, Utah, where six coal miners were trapped, Aug. 8, 2007. (Reuters)
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A high resolution dual lens camera system sits on the back bumper of a truck waiting to be lowered into an 1,868-foot shaft as part of the rescue effort at the Crandall Canyon Mine in Huntington, Utah for six trapped miners, Aug. 11, 2007. (Reuters)
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An undated photo provided by Lockheed Martin shows Lockheed engineer Dave LeVan standing next to a MagneLink underground mining communication system. LeVan developed the technology that uses magnetic waves to send signals to the surface in the event of a mining disaster. (AP)
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A special drill, theXtrata 950, which will dig an escape hole for 33 miners trapped underground in a copper and gold mine at Copiapo, north of Santiago, Chile, is seen inside the mine, Aug. 25, 2010. (Reuters)
