Deaths and injuries at the nation's coal mines have been
declining since a West Virginia
Coal mines are on pace this year to set a new low mark in mining
deaths. So far in 2014 there have been 15 coal mine-related deaths, and with less
than a month left in the year, the number could stay below the record 18 set in
2009.
Federal mine safety officials say increased enforcement efforts
since the Upper Big Branch mine explosion in 2010 have improved the safety at
all the nation's mines. Assistant Labor Secretary Joe Main says officials
focused on making coal mines safer after the West Virginia
