Yet another tragic coal mining accident, this time in New Zealand. It once again brings into focus the loss of life that coal mining has always been responsible for.
Surely, it makes yet another argument for using clean nuclear energy as an alternative to this dirty form of energy that according to statistics found in wikipedea and elsewhere on the web, accounts for nearly six thousand deaths from coal mining and some four thousand incapacitated by lung disease EACH YEAR.
Admittedly the greater proportion of these happen in China where obviously safety is not adhered to in such a strict way as many other Western countries. However, I wonder if only a dozen deaths or injuries were incurred using a nuclear power station (not withstanding Chernoby) what sort of uproar would be caused by the anti nuclear mob in declaring it a totally unacceptable form of producing electricity. It appears that we have the means of disposing of waste using synroc and the many modern power stations around the world are being used productively and safely using uranium, without all the pollution that we are finding so hard to reduce and which is affecting so much of our environment.

Nothing is without some risk but it seems to me coal mining proves to be a far greater one where human life is concerned.

Not sure that you can make the case for nuclear being safer than coal as an energy source, snake.

Of course, coal-mining disasters are terrible but they are only a tiny fraction of the negative consequences of our addiction to coal. Nuclear energy would be a wonderful replacement if it was utilised to maximum efficiency and with minimum downsides. But unfortunately, humans are humans, and that means that it will never be utilised without significant compromises to its efficiency and big negative consequences or risks thereof.

It should not be a matter of coal (or fossil fuels) versus nuclear energy. There is a wide variety of renewable (sustainable) alternative energy sources.

But the biggest factor, that still just gets left out of discussions like this all too often, is the need to stop bloody well continuously increasing our population, per-capita consumption and hence our energy requirements.

Grasping at straws or just stretching it too far
Mining is not all coal and open cut mines exist.
We are aware are we? that mining is involved in Nuclear power.
Miners die at work, we must continue to try to stop this.
But using this tragic event to push wheel barrows is a bit sad.

Does anybody know how many women were among the trapped miners?

Ah anti, you and your love of the manly miners doing the risky hard work that those coshered women wont do.

The media would have found that out pretty quick if there was woman down there. I'm sure if there was a woman in there anti, it would be that much more tragic;-) Especially if she was pretty.

I hear kochie is there?

Houellebecq:"I'm sure if there was a woman in there anti, it would be that much more tragic;-) Especially if she was pretty."

That was what I was thinking. I reckon there should be a woman on every shift at every mine in the world, just in case there's an accident. The media deserves it.

It could only get better if she had sex underground then regretted it later...

Houelly:

<< I'm sure if there was a woman in there anti, it would be that much more tragic;-) Especially if she was pretty. >>

Hmmmm. Many a true word is spoken in jest... or flippancy ... or humour.

Anti:

<< I reckon there should be a woman on every shift at every mine in the world... >>

Yes... a woman on each shift would no doubt help to keep workplace health and safety issues more sharply focussed than they might otherwise be.

Ludwig, I'm sure the Human Resources issues would be brought into sharp focus as well... not to mention the publicity side of things.

But won't somebody think of the media...?

They might find a pretty daughter or sister to interview.

Could have to come in from another region, I’m not sure if Greymouth has local females. It’s a horrible place.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/safety-standards-should-have-guarded-against-accident-says-engineer-20101121-182n5.html

Listen on the video to what the upset dude outside church says

There would be a lot more deaths or wider impact should a nuclear accident occur. Just not worth the risk, particularly given the experts predict nuclear energy is not a long term prospect.

<< I’m not sure if Greymouth has local females >>

Oohh! ( :> #

That almost cracked me right up. But I just managed to contain myself, and then chastise myself for making light of a very serious subject and grave predicament.

I've got to agree with the Nicky Phillips (author of the article that you provide the link for, Pied Piper). A build-up of methane and consequent explosion just shouldn't be possible in a mine in a country like New Zealand.

You've really got to wonder whether all the due safety factors were implemented or whether some terrible short-cut or oversight has taken place.

Antispetic said:

"It could only get better if she had sex underground then regretted it later..."

Thats disgusting and very disrepectful of miners and ladies you shoud be ashamed of yourself.

huggins:"you shoud be ashamed of yourself."

I should be rich too, but that ain't gonna happen either.

Ludwig:"chastise myself for making light of a very serious subject and grave predicament."

Any excuse for a good bit of self-chastisement, eh?

Fair dinkum, folks. Mining is a dangerous business. I've been down a few myself over the years. The miners all know the risks and they take the money as compensation.

It's very hard for the families no doubt and probably an untimely end for the blokes concerned, but it's part of the game. Meet it with a grin as they say.

The miners would not expect anything else, I reckon.

Your probably right Anti they are very blokey type blokes over that way and I did laugh when I read your post.

But I just heard it wasn’t looking good now and no signs of life, I think I expected them to come out again as the last news said they were easier to reach than the last mining accident in Chile.

I’ve no idea how mining is done in NZ Ludwig. Seriously didn’t even know we had any.

Horizontal sounded much more promising to begin with though.

Even if you exclude mining, Nuclear power is still the safest generation technology based on fatalities per GWhr.

Including mining (as far less uranium is required) this improves even further.

I watched this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU

What I got was that solar was the way to go.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/new-blast-all-miners-feared-dead-20101124-1862p.html

"A second explosion has rocked the NZ mine where 29 men are trapped and authorities have told their families that none of them would have survived."

I hope visiting Kiwi,s know we mourn with them.
I hope they understand while humor is a tool at such times ,some of us felt it was too early to laugh.
And we like New Zealand wanted a better out come for them, the the children wifes and family's of these miners and are sad because we all lost yesterday,the dreams chance still existed.

Belly, it's never too soon to laugh.

I have to say I'm not surprised at the way this has panned out. The Beaconsfield and Chile rescues were from gold mines, where there are no explosive fumes. The families are obviously devastated, but I don't think there was ever a thing anybody could have done. I reckon those blokes have been dead for days.

I do too antiseptic, always have.
But let me expand , I never would have been able to laugh or joke about it.
Now road trauma, body's clearly dead in front of us, we police ambos and road workers rescue did joke to stop the crying, to stop the breakdowns.
That much is true.
While my background will not let me be other than I am consider also this.
Sorry TPP, but Kiwis, I have BIG number of mates from both races, are a bit anti Aussie.
Lets be frank they cry about our national anthem being played too much when the games are in their country and IF.
If one saw this, took it the wrong way, come it could even be one of the 2 Aussies killed family's, much pain for little reason.

No worries Belly, I just hope dane doesn’t find me and Anti over here.

I aren’t anti-Aussie and I don’t like watching sport unless high diving and gymnastics counts?

I do like the Maori tattoos though. And I miss having a houseful of Maori kids because I'm forgetting all the words now.

Race? Like caucasion and african and stuff?

I have a bug in my hair, I hate the Aussie beatles!

belly:"I never would have been able to laugh or joke about it."

Why? Death comes to us all, mate. It's a part of life. I'm sad for the families, certainly, but not especially sad for the men who died. They knew the risks and they took them on willingly.

If it turns out that the mine was inherently unsafe due to the nature of the coal, as seems increasingly likely, then there should be action by the families against the NZ Govt and the mine operator.

I don't find that bit real funny.

Why? Death comes to us all, mate. It's a part of life.

And that's to the bone. Well, This whole thread is full of it with some constellations with who's on the winning end.

BLUE

Prayers for the workers who are working in the coal mines. These guys are really brave and earn as much as the Wall Street workers because they actually work hard. I request all should pray for the miners and their families.

http://queenslandeconomy.com.au/

Too late for the Pike river miners, and the mine is now shut down. Charities are doing the handouts in the meantime to the out of work miners.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/pike-river-2010/64300/money-pledged-to-mine-families-safe,-says-trustee
The founding trustee of the Pike River Miners Relief Fund says money given by the coal mining company is safe, and it won't go to the receivers.

Pike River Coal Ltd went into receivership on Monday following an explosion at the West Coast mine on 19 November which killed 29 workers and curtailed all production.

Grey District mayor Tony Kokshoorn had feared money pledged by the company wouldn't get through to the families of the men who died.
However Mr Foley says the money is separate from that available to receivers.

"The money is held in an entirely separate trust account for the charitable trust and I can confirm I have in that account the $500,000 that was pledged by the Pike River Coal company," he said.
He told Morning Report the Fund also has a $500,000 pledge from New Zealand Oil and Gas, and another $500,000 in donations across the country.

The fund was to merge with the Pike River Miners Disaster Relief Fund, set up by the Grey District Council.

The receivers for Pike River Coal have been unable answer questions about the funds, but Mr Foley says that is because the money is not under their auspices.

Bernie Monk, whose son Michael died in the mine, says while no amount of money can make up for the loss, many young families are depending on what was promised to them.