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Physical Safety(Reprinted from the Industry Vista Column of the Reno Gazette Journal) The most important job any mine operator has is to ensure that every man and woman working at that mine returns home at the end of his or her shift safe and healthy. If you ever have the opportunity to visit a mine in Nevada, you see the signs everywhere "safety is job #1." Mines, like any business, do need to be productive and a safe mine is a productive mine. An unsafe mine, is, in all likelihood, a loser in more ways than one. In the recent past, we've all seen the news of the tragedy at aWest Virginia coal mine where 12 miners lost their lives. On any level, this is a terrible situation, but for anyone in the mining industry it hits home in a big way. Miners have a strong allegiance to one another. On behalf of the Nevada mining industry our hearts go out to the families and friends of our West Virginian brethren. Despite the intense focus on mining by the media since the accident, the modern mining industry has a good and improving safety record that has not been reported. In fact, according to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mining industry is among the safest of all industries in the U.S. Mining has been and remains today one of the most regulated industries in the U.S. Nevada has a large mining industry, mostly centered in rural northern Nevada. The primary mineral mined here is gold and Nevada mines produce more gold than all the other U.S. states combined. An estimated 20 to 25 percent of Nevada's gold production comes from underground mines. Nevada, due to its unique geology, has no commercial coal deposits. This is important because metal mines, such as Nevada's, pose significantly less risk of methane gas explosions, dust explosions and mine fires with the associated invisible killer, carbon monoxide. We are proud of Nevada mining's safety record. The men and women who work in Nevada are highly trained professionals who continue to receive much recognition for mine safety. Over recent years, the national Mine Safety and Health Administration has recognized Nevada mines as among the safest in the country awarding them with the prestigious Sentinel of Safety awards. The Nevada Mining Association's Mine Safety and Health Committee, through its annual Safety Awards program recognizes mines and individuals who have achieved outstanding safety and health accomplishments during the prior year. Nevada's mining industry is focused on safety–it has to be. Lives depend on it. |
