A mining accident is an accident that happens during the process of miningminerals. Each year, thousands of miners die from mining accidents. These days, most of the deaths occur in developing countries such as China and South America. They occur especially in the processes of coal mining and hard rock mining, Mining accidents can have a variety of causes. Leaks of poisonous gases or explosive natural gases, dust explosions, collapsing of mine stopes, flooding, or general mechanical errors from improperly used explosives underground can cause methane and coal dust explosions.
1. Benxihu Colliery explosion (China) This explosion occurred on April 26, 1942. There was a small coal dust explosion that spread flames to the surface at first. When air is touched by fine particles, excessive flame can make a fast explosion in the closed area. Then, the flame rapidly builds an immense pressures, destroying structures and killing every living thing nearby. Since the explosion was rapid and unstoppable, the Japanese mine operator decided to seal off the mine. This was necessary because the lack of oxygen would cause the fire to die out. If they didn’t seal the mine it would eventually explode and kill many people outside of the mine. This explosion killed over fifteen hundred people in the mine. They all died in the mine due to the lack of oxygen.
The picture is portraying the situation after the explosion. Image Citation- @911Metallurgy. "Five of the World's Worst Mining Disasters - Mineral Processing & Extractive Metallurgy." Mineral Processing & Extractive Metallurgy. 2016. Accessed December 02, 2016. https://www.911metallurgist.com/blog/five-of-the-worlds-worst-mining-disasters.
2. Monongah Coal Mine explosion (USA)
This explosion in West Virginia occurred on and December 6, 1907. It was the biggest mining tragedy in US history. The Monongah Coal Mine explosion was caused by firedamp and some mining facilities which were controlled by Fairmont Coal Company. The majority of victims were Italian immigrants. The total number of people killed in the explosion was 3242. Electric arcs or open lights led to a coal dust explosion and destroyed most of the systems of mine number eight. Firefighters and other people had a hard time rescuing people due to the lack of oxygen. Some of the workers died because of suffocation.
There were lots of people outside of the mine who worried and terrified about the explosion. Image Citation- "HISTORY INSIDE PICTURES." Monongah Coal Mine Explosion Memorial Photographs, The Worst Mining Disaster in U. S. History. Accessed December 02, 2016. http://www.historyinsidepictures.com/Pages/MonongahCoalMineExplosionMemorialPhotographsoftheWorstMiningDisasterinUSHistory.aspx
3. Oaks Colliery explosion (United Kingdom)
The Oaks Colliery explosion occurred on December 13, 1866 at the Oaks Colliery, in South Yorkshire. This explosion was caused by an ignition in the underground mine. Almost 360 people died due to this explosion. This explosion happened in the same place in 1847 with 73 victims. In order to avoid larger accidents, they sealed the mine and many miners were trapped. There were 17 more explosions before they finally closed this mine in the 1960. This disaster is considered to be the deadliest coal mine explosion in the United Kingdom.
People were extremely terrified during the explosion. They tried to run away from the mines. Image Citation- Taylor, Fionn. "Oaks Colliery Explosion, 1866." Oaks Colliery Explosion, 1866. Accessed December 02, 2016. http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/pits/Oak.htm.
Video about how powerful and destructive is the mine disaster.