Mine Safety

From: WOWK TV

From: Occupational Safety & Health

The MagneLink™ Magnetic Communication System is a wireless, through-the-earth communication system developed by Lockheed Martin and tested successfully in three mines, according to the company.

Lockheed Martin announced July 20 that MSHA has approved its MagneLink™ Magnetic Communication System, which is a wireless, through-the-earth communication system for use during emergencies in underground mines. Lockheed Martin says the system was developed in coordination with NIOSH and has been tested successfully in three mines; a company spokeswoman said confirmation of MSHA’s approval arrived the evening of July 19.

MSHA News Release

MSHA focuses spotlight on rib control in light of recent coal mining fatalities
Top risk factors are mining height and depth of cover

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that the focus of this year’s Preventive Roof/Rib Outreach Program is on improved mine rib control. In 2010, there were three rib fall fatalities and two roof falls that killed three miners. In addition, two miners have died so far this year as a result of underground rib failures.

MSHA’s Spring 2011 (all agency Regulatory Agendas were late this year) is now available at http://www.msha.gov/regsinf1.htm.  The complete Regulatory Agenda for all agencies may be found at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaMain.

MSHA has scheduled a webchat to discuss their Regulatory Agenda on Thursday, July 14, 12 p.m. EDT.  For more inforamtion about the webchat, please see http://www.dol.gov/regulations/chat-msha-201107.htm.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.–(EON: Enhanced Online News)–Westmoreland Coal Company (NasdaqGM: WLB) announced today that Dakota Westmoreland Corporation’s Beulah Mine has received the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute Surface Mine Safety Award, small mine category, for the surface mine with the lowest reportable rate of incidents in the eight-member state region. The Beulah Mine had an exceptional safety record in 2010, completing the entire year without any lost-time accidents. As of December 31, 2010, the Beulah Mine had worked 667 days without a lost-time accident and continues to build on that record having worked 845 days without an accident resulting in lost-time. Dakota Westmoreland was honored with this safety achievement at the 107^th Annual Meeting & Convention of the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute at The Keystone Resort.