Data from the Department of Labor indicates that fatality rates in the US  Mining Industry are the lowest since they began calculating such rates in 1983.  Additionally, overall penalty assessments dropped from $160.8 million in 2011 to $120.5 million in 2012. Among other agency wide statistics, MSHA posted the following specific to metal and nonmetal mining:

  • While the number of metal and nonmetal mines remained steady in 2012, at 12,193, the number of miners increased from 237,772 in 2011 to 250,228 in 2012
  • The record-low fatality rate was .0079 deaths per 200,000 hours worked
  • The reported injury rate of 2.19 per 200,000 hours worked also was a record low
  • Citations and orders issued dropped from 63,472 in 2011 to 60,520 in 2012, a 5 percent reduction

Forr the complete news release click here.