INNOVATION-July-August-2020

Unfortunately, the No. 1 Esplanade Mine Disaster was not an isolated incident; many other disasters would follow. For example, in 1901, 64 would die in the Cumberland No. 6 Mine Disaster. In May 1902, 128 people were killed in the Coal Creek Mine Disaster in Fernie, BC. MINE SAFETY TODAY Mining in BC has radically changed since it began in the 1850s. Open-pit mining has mitigated some of the risks commonly associated with underground mining. Technological advancements have led to more controlled blasting operations, and more precise gas monitoring. Mine workers are better trained, and mine operations are better regulated. The concept of “safety” has grown beyond personal protective equipment and first-aid training to include structured approaches to safety management. But while mining hazards are now better understood and mitigated, the hazards themselves are ever-present. Recent disasters such as the 2010 Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster in West Virginia speak to the importance of an ongoing commitment to safety.

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