Mining deaths sharply higher in 4th quarter, following record low fatality rates
According to preliminary data released by the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) 42 miners died in work-related accidents at the nation's mines in 2013, an increase from the 36 miners who died in 2012.
While mining fatalities occurred at a record low rate for the first three quarters of 2013, during the fourth quarter of 2013, six coal miners and nine metal/nonmetal miners died in mining accidents, a significant increase from the same period in 2012, when four coal miners and two metal/nonmetal miners died.