Fatal injuries at US mines declined to a record low during 2001, according to preliminary data from the US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). According to the agency, 72 miners died last year in on-the-job accidents. That was 13 fewer deaths than in 2000. 'A good year would be zero fatalities, because even one death is unacceptable," said Dave Lauriski, MSHA's chief. During 2001, Lauriski challenged the US mining industry to reduce fatal accidents by 15 percent each year. "Preliminary numbers indicate that the mining industry met that challenge during 2001," he said.The nation's metal and nonmetal mining sector had 30 fatalities during 2001, a record low. In 2000, this sector recorded 47 deaths. The previous metal and nonmetal low fatality rate was 40 in 1994. "The metal and nonmetal mining industry has shown what can be done, with its safest year ever," Lauriski said.
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