Australasian Mine Safety is the leading voice for all key decision makers within Mining company's and major contractors. Delivering the latest industry news as it breaks.
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS NTERNATIONAL NEWS Owners at fault for Chile mine collapse Investigators have concluded the owners of the mine that collapsed in northern Chile last year, famously trapping 33 miners, were mainly to blame for the accident. A congressional report found there to be “clear responsibility as regards to the employers or managers of the mining operation, who are responsible for delivering a safe workplace”, mining minister Laurence Golborne told local media. The investigation found owners Alejandro Bohn and Marcelo Kemeny were the prime culprits for the rock collapse. It said the men were guilty of negligence, charges they both deny. But the commission also concluded the Chilean state was at fault. It said Sernageomin, the body responsible for overseeing the mining industry, should have done more to enforce safety rules. The findings are good news for the miners whose lawyers are preparing lawsuits against the owners. President Sebastian Pinera’s government has said it will take lessons from the accident to seek better legislation to protect Chile’s miners. Last August, 33 miners were trapped by a cave-in at the San Jose gold and copper mine in northern Chile. After 69 days and a spectacular rescue operation with the world watching they were brought out safely. Source: ABC News China, US agree to cooperate on mine safety China, which saw more than 2,400 deaths in colliery accidents last year, has agreed to swap health and safety experiences with the United States in a bid to improve conditions for miners. The two countries launched a programme that will see Chinese and US experts share best practices on issues such as mine emergency response, ventilation and prevention of the lung disease pneumoconiosis, according to the US embassy. A Chinese delegation will travel to the United States to kick off the programme with a fact- finding mission on mine safety technology, it said. “Both of our countries have learned a lot in the past years about the importance of ensuring safe working conditions and health for miners,” US Ambassador Jon Huntsman said in a statement. “These lessons have been hard won, often through tragedy. But more work remains to be done to continue preventing major mining accidents and occupational disease,” he said. “The time has come to work together.” China’s mines are known for being among the deadliest in the world because of lax regulation, corruption and inefficiency. Last year, 2,433 people died in coal mine accidents, according to official figures. But labour rights groups say the actual death toll is likely much higher, partly because of the under-reporting of accidents as mine bosses seek to limit their economic losses. The government has repeatedly called for better safety standards. In its latest campaign 8 AUSTRALASIAN MINE SAFETY JOURNAL