Why is underground mining of coal so dangerous?

Answer 1

There are many reasons underground coal mining is dangerous.

Underground mining in general (for example gold or copper) has its hazards - lack of fresh air, confined areas, noisy, poor access, poor ventilation, dark, dirty, slippery, wet, and the rock burst hazard. A rock burst is in deep mines when there is so much pressure on the rock, that they just "burst" or explode - that is a hazard as it can kill miners directly, or block off their access to the surface. On top of all that, the men (usually men, but not always) are working with heavy machinery and heavy tools that can easily maim or kill.

Now coal mining is extra dangerous. Add all the hazards of regular underground mining and you have a recipe for disaster.

The extra hazards in coal mining are:

=> coal dust - explosive, dirty, and poisonous; from the coal
=> methane gas - explosive and poisonous; from the coal
=> soft rock - coal by nature is in poorly lithified sedimentary rocks which are structurally unstable and prone to cave-ins
=> horizontal layers - coal by nature is usually in horizontal veins called seams that are dangerous to mine because large underground areas have to be opened up, and that increases the hazard of rock falls

I am personally a strong proponent of nuclear energy, not only because of the clean air aspect, but also because uranium mining is so much safer than coal mining. There have been more people killed in the US so far this year in coal mining accidents than from radiation in more than 100 nuclear power plants in the US for over forty years! Underground mining of uranium is no more hazardous than gold or copper mining because uranium usually is found in strong competent rock with no methane gas or coal dust.

Answer 2

Dangers Of Coal Mining

Answer 3

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RE:
Why is underground mining of coal so dangerous?

Answer 4

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No one. Mining is an inherently dangerous activity and coal mining especially. It is virtually impossible to prevent accidents even in the most careful operation. It is also virtually impossible to not violate some regulation during an inspection as these regulations are so complex it is virtually impossible to be in compliance. The best operated mining operations are also those with the best safety record. But I doubt that you will be able to find an operation that has not had at least a few accidents. The accidents at these operations will be small and inconsequential albeit not from the point of the person who experienced the accident!

Answer 5

It is dangerous because of methane gas leaking in and cutting off the oxygen supply. Also flooding can occur and spell doom.

But do know that mining isn't all dangerous because there are many regulations on mining people don't know this and don't let mines open because they aren't informed. Do know sometimes mines can do good for the enviroment like purify the streams below that were contaiminated with excess minerals.

Answer 6

Seriously, because of risk of CO-inhalation, followed by exposure to carbondust which can cause serious lungproblems on long term.Cancer is one of them flowed by emphysema and pneumoconiosis.Ca\/e ins are rare but do happen until today.
Logically, at last, underground working as a whole is dangerous

Answer 7

Imagine digging through the ground and suddenly hitting a pocket of explosive gas,or a huge cave full of water that drowns you.Not to mention the cave ins.

Answer 8

Charcoal concetrations underground are always combined with methane. the tools used to mine may create sparks. these sparks are enough to make a whole mine explode.. Another mining tool is TNT.

Answer 9

Because there are not enough safety regulations and the ones that are on the books are ignored by miners and mining company's in the name of profit/production .

Answer 10

because its underground, its coal, and its mining.