A new report on the Sago mine disaster released today by the United Mineworkers confirms that the deaths of 12 miners at Sago on January 2, 2006 were unnecessary and totally preventable. These deaths were not due to some “act of God,” but rather were the result of failures by mine management and the government. The detailed, exhaustive report shows that substandard mine seals, lack of adequate oxygen, no safety chambers, no two-way communication, no tracking devices, and no onsite, experienced mine rescue teams all contributed to these tragic deaths. Many of these failures were years in the making. They were the result of decisions by the Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) to weaken legal requirements and by the Bush Administration to stop new, stronger rules on mine rescue teams, oxygen supplies and escape ways and mine refuges.

The Sago disaster and other mine disasters in 2006, which claimed a total of 47 lives, led Congress to enact the first improvements in the mine safety law in 30 years. Now we must ensure that these changes in the law translate quickly into improvements in safety in the nation’s mines.

I commend the United Mineworkers for their leadership and dedication to protecting all of the nation’s miners – whether they have a union or not – and their tireless efforts to see that the 12 men who died at Sago did not die in vain.

Contact: Alison Omens 202-637-5083